Memoirs Of William Hickey Vol I 17491775

MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

MEMOIRS OF
WILLIAM HICKEY

EDITED BY

ALFRED SPENCER

VOL. 1
(1749-1775)

'SEVENTH

LONDON

HURST y BLACKETT, LTD.
PATERNOSTER HOUSE, E.C<

EDITOR'S NOTE

IT! HE original MS. of these Memoirs covers many hundreds
-*- of closely written foHoTpages, yet only two or three
corrections have heen made in it, and it has the appearance
of being a clean copy, most laboriously made by Hickey
himself from a rough draft. The author apparently did
not contemplate its publication, though his introductory
remarks give one the impression that he expected it to in-
terest his friends. The present volume forms but a part
of the Memoirs, which are of such length that one or two
further volumes will be necessary to complete them.

In its original form the MS. runs on almost without a
break. For easier reading it has been divided into chapters
and freely paragraphed. Parts of the MS. have been
eliminated, but where any considerable portion has been
omitted, the reason for the omission will be found in a foot-
note. Otherwise the narrative is given in the author's own
words.

Hickey, as will be seen, has something to say of many
well-known men of the time with whom he was brought into
contact, and perhaps not the least interesting feature of his
Memoirs is the fact that his father, of whom we hear so much
was a friend of Edmund Burke, and one of the group of
public men characterized by Goldsmith in his famous
"Retaliation"

vl MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM

Efforts have been made to obtain copies of the portraits
painted by Sir Joshua Reynolds of the author's father and
sister, referred to on page 309. Unfortunately these por-
traits cannot be procured at the moment, but it is hoped
that both of them may find a place in a future volume.

CONTENTS

PAGE

EDITOR'S NOTE . v

INTRODUCTION . * ix

CHAPTER

I. BIETH AND PARENTAGE , , . 1

II. EARLY SCHOOL DAYS , . . 11

III. BOYHOOD . f . ... 21

IV. THE REMOVAL FROM WESTMINSTER SCHOOL . 34
V. SCHOOL DAYS AT STEEATHAM . 47

VI. IN TRAINING FOR THE LAW . 55

VIL BAD HABITS . . . 66

VIII. LIFE IN BONBON AND A YACHTING EXCURSION 79

IX. DISGRACED . 95

X. THE EAST STRAW . . 109

XL To THE EAST AS A CADET . * .124

XII. ON BOAED THE " PLASSEY " , . 139

XIII. INCIDENTS OF THE VOYAGE TO MADRAS . 152

XIV. MADRAS . . . 163
XV. THE VOYAGE TO CHINA , , 177

XVL CANTON . f . . 194

XVII. LIFE IN CANTON , . . 208

XVIII. LIFE IN CANTON (continued) , 220

XIX. TSE BETTJRN TO ENGLAND , . 233

viii MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM BICKER

IK AFTER PAGS

XX, IN LONDON AGAIN . . . 251

XXI. THE FORBESTS . . . 261

XXII, ACQUAINTANCES IN TOWN , . . 273

XXIII. SOME DUELS AND So3iE SAILING . . 287

XXIV. MOBS OF LIFE IN LONDON f . . 302
XXV. DRIVEN FBOM HOME . . . 317

XXVI. OFF TO JAMAICA . . . 330

INDEX . . . 339

INTRODUCTION

T)ETURNING from a very busy and laborious life,
-*-^ in India, to comparatively absolute idleness, in
England, and having fixed my abode in a country village,
with a very limited society, I tlioro experienced the truth
of an observation I had frequently heard, viz. that want
of employment is one of the greatest miseries that can be
attached to a mind not altogether inactive.

Feeling the full force of this remark, my thoughts
turned to the strange and varied life I had passed, and tho
extraordinary scenes I had gone through in different
quarters of the world ; in contemplating which it occurred
to mo that I might in some measure fill up a painful vacuum,
and beguile a few hours on those days when confined to
the house cither from bad wcailxer, or indisposition, by com-
mitting to writing tho different events that had happened
to me during a period of nearly sixty years.

True it is I had few documents to guide me, and scarcely
any memorandum whatever to assist in tho execution of
such a plan, at leawt for the early and greater part of my
life, yet, trusting to memory alone, I felt convinced I could
trace back the most material circumstances that had
happened respecting myself ; and 1 can safely aver, them
is not a single fact recorded in the following wheels, that
is not, to tho beat of my knowledge and belief, most truly
and correctly stated. Equally true it is, and I am perfectly
aware of it, that such a production cannot bo in any way

ix

x MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKBpf

interesting to those unacquainted with me, and indeed,
not very much so even to my most attached friends.
Should, however, these pages at any time fall into 4he
hands of strangers, be it remembered, that I retraced the
following circumstances of my life, solely for my own
amusement, and to fill up some tedious hours that would
otherwise have hung heavy upon my hands.

MEMOIRS
OF WILLIAM HICKEY

CHAPTER I

BIKTII AND PARENTAGE

I WAS born in St. Album Street/ Tall Mail, in thoPuriali
of St. James, Westminster, on the 30th of June, in the
year 1749, being the seventh 2 child my parent B had. My
father was the youngest v son of a numerous family, all Irish,
sprung from a very ancient and honourable stock, being of
Milesian descent ; the original name was O'Hickoy, but at
what period the " " was dropt 1 never heard, nor is it
of any importance.

My mother, whose maiden name was Boultou, was of a
very old and highly respectable family, who for several
centuries resided in Yorkshire, where- they possessed con-
siderable landed property. My father and another's was
a love match, against the consent of her relations, as
he ran away from his friends in Ireland at the early ago
of seventeen, in consequence of throwing a leaden inkstand
at, his, master's head, the said master having, as my father
conceived, wantonly and grossly insulted him. He was not
ovcrburthoned with cash at the time ho reached tho capital
of Great Britain, but he had received the bent of education,
having been brought up in the "University of Dublin, whom
he had the reputation of being an uncommonly good
classical scholar. The gentleman he had been articled to
was an eminent attorney practising in the City of Caahell,
the town ^n which my father was born.

1 St. Albans Street (namod ttfter Houry St. Jermyn, Karl nf SI. AHutuii) win
from Pall Mall across tho east side of tho prosunt nito of Waterloo J*lu;a in a
northerly direction, and wn removed on tin* making of Ui^<*nt Slrwt.- KB

* On his own showing (son p. 3) Iw wan tho eighth* Appwontly he down
not include a brother who lived but a few hoar*. - KJU.

2 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICK^Y

Upon Ms arrival in London my father applied to, and
was most kindly received by a Mr. Bourke, then residing
at Plaistow, in Essex, where he carried on business as an
attorney and solicitor, with mnch credit and advantage
to himself. This respectable gentleman was the father of
Mr. William Burke, an intimate friend of my family's, who
subsequently made a conspicuous figure in public life. With
Mr. Bourke, of Plaistow, who chose to retain the ' o ' in his
name, as being the original way of spelling it, my father
served a regular clerkship, and at the expiration of his five
years was admitted as an Attorney of the Court of King's
Bench, and a Solicitor of the Court of Chancery.

My father's abilities and respectable connection soon
procured him abundant business, but being naturally of a
convivial and expensive turn, he was sometimes hard
pressed in pecuniary matters, and I have often heard him
say that when he married, which took place after but a
short courtship, he had no more than five guineas in his
possession, and was obliged to furnish a house, and procure
all the requisite establishment of a family man, upon credit ;
of course he felt all the inconveniences and embarrassments
arising from such a situation, but never lost his spirits, nor
was he ever, even at that early period, nor through the
whole course of a very long life, driven to commit a dis-
honourable or ungentleman-like action.

When married only a few months, my father dined
with a large party at the King's Arms tavern in Pall Mall,
where, after the whole party had drank freely, it was, at a
late hour proposed to adjourn to the Eidotto, at the Opera
house, where it was then the custom to have public hazard
tables. When the going to the Ridotto was first mentioned,
my father observed to his friend Colonel Mathews, of the
Guards, who sat next to him, that he could not be of the
party, as after paying his proportion of the dinner bill,
he should have only a few shillings left, whereupon Colonel
Mathews took out Ms purse, and counted the amount
therein, which was twenty-four guineas ; of these he gave
twelve to my father saying, they would play in partnership,

HIS PARENTAGE 8

and if fortune was kind, whatever both, or either won
should be deemed joint stock, and be equally divided be*
t^en them. Upon these terms they proceeded to the Opera
house, where my father having in a few minutes lost his
twelve guineas, went and stood at the back of Colonel
Mathews's chair, who threw so successfully that by four
o'clock in the morning he had collected nearly the whole
amount of cash at the table, upon which they adjourned
to my father's house in Gerard Street, Soho, and there
actually divided upwards of three thousand two hundred
guineas, each having sixteen hundred and odd to MB share*
This sum laid the foundation of my father's fortune. Ho
immediately paid every one to whom he was indebted, mid
after having so done a surplus of several hundred pounds
remained.

Soon after this circumstance had occurred, my eWeat
sister, Mary, was born, being the first child. In duo time
another came forth who died in early infancy. Next my
brother Joseph, who in eleven months was followed by a
boy that lived only a few hours, next, my brother Henry,
and within the two next years, two othont, who both died
young. Then I made my appearance, that is to wiy, on tho
30th of June 1749.

My god-fathers were the above named Colonel Mat-hewn
and Mr. Ryan, proprietor of the King'n Arms tavern m
Pall Mall, then a very fashionable houe, in which he
(Ryan) acquired a very large fortune. 1 wan soon pro-
nounced a most lovely child. My mother had Ruckled the
first three infants herself, but thin being deemed prejudicial
to her health, she was forbid continuing it, and I was there-
fore sent to be nursed at Hampstead, at a clean and neat
cottage, the property of a respectable old woman named
Pago, from the breast of whose daughter, Ann Pago, (for
she had married a person of her own name) I drew my first
nourishment. Ann Page was an uncommonly beautiful
creature, who almost adored me. 1 have a faint recollection
when between three and four years of ago, of my brother
Joseph being highly offended by her kissing a certain

4 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEF

substantial part of my body, at the same time telling him,
that she had much rather Mss my posterior than his face.

At Hampstead I remained until nearly four years old,
when my first breeches were put on, and I was then tafen
away from my dearly loved, "sweet Ann Page," the
separation from whom wrung my little heart with the first
sorrow it ever felt, nor did I ever forget her extreme affection
for me. At the time I thus quitted the arms of my darling
nurse I was reckoned an uncommonly beautiful boy, and
I presume not without reason, for I perfectly well remember
being frequently stopped in the park, and in the streets, by
females of all sorts, who rapturously kissed me, with ex-
clamations of surprise at my extraordinary beauty. I may
now without vanity speak of my infantine perfections as to
features, all such having long since passed away, for since
reaching my fourteenth year I became as ugly a fellow as
need be.

My God-fathers were both greatly attached to me,
especially Mr. Ryan, who, as well as his wife, would willingly
have had me constantly with them, and as my father,
previous to my birth had removed into St. Albans Street, I
was frequently at the King's Arms, sometimes with consent,
often without, for although peremptorily forbid ever to go
out alone, lest any accident should befall me, I nevertheless
used to watch my opportunity of finding the street door
open, and away I darted fast as my little legs would carry
me to Pall Mall, where I knew I should be permitted to do
whatever I pleased, and where I was a pet of every individual
in the house, besides which, I was often noticed and caressed
by the first people of the Kingdom. It was not however at
my God-father Ryan's only that I was too much indulged,
for I was a universal favorite, and it is therefore not to be
wondered at that I became in some measure a spoiled child.

My father at the time of my coming into the world had
got into immense practice in his profession, having the
honour of being consulted and employed by many of the
nobility, and persons of the most exalted rank in society.
He lived expensively, seeing much company, keeping a

JOHN HAMILTON'S CASE 5

carriage and several saddle horses, and having a handsome
country house at Twickenham. This success, though well
HFrited, drew upon him the envy of some men in the same
line, particularly that of a Mr. Hervey, who had risen to
eminence in the profesnion, and by it had acquired a largo
fortune. He was an unprincipled, arrogant, and self-
sufficient fellow, and becoming jealous of the high reputa-
tion my father had acquired, adopted the most vile and
iniquitous means to effect his rum, by blaBting his character.
Having found a fit instrument, in a low Irishman, named
Hamilton, they together trumped up a story wherein they
accused my father of perjury, upon which they actually
caused an Indictment to be preferred, and being foiled in
their villainous attempt, their next endeavour wan (o
complete their object by a gross libel, published by Hervey,
in the name of Hamilton, which libel produced the following
answer from my father. This transaction occurred when 1
was only two years old, but a perusal of the work I am about
to set forth, often made my blood boil, when at an age
competent to judge of the rascality of mankind. 1

" Hickey against Hamilton and Hervey : or, a proper
Reply to the Case of John Hamilton, an set forth by hit*
HONOURABLE SOLICITOR, in relation to the acquittal of
JOSEPH HICKEY, ATTORNEY. s Mark now how plain a tale
shall put you down.'

"It must bo confessed, that few private eluiraetefH or
private cases arc interesting or important enough to merit
the attention of the public. But aa his IIONCHIE the
solicitor in Hamiltou* suit against Mr. Mickey, obwrvrH,
perjury is so hcinouH and atrodtnw a crimo, he that IUIB
been accused of it in print, finds himself obliged to wtt
forth a printed answer.

"It has been Mr. Hiekey'H misfortune to be Him uo-
ctisod in two several libek The iirat under the titlo of,

A LKTTBtt TO A GENTLEMAN IN THR COt'NTRY;' and tliO

1 AH Iho work hwo referred to, viz. tho "Reply" of tlm \vri(<*r' futto-r
to John Hamilton^ "Cose" would, If given, occupy very many tuurw
and would not prova intoreating, tho preamble to it only is mm alumni
The " Reply" was printed, arid in to be found 00 tJU^ hlv of tb
oritwh MuAoumu **Jb!o.

6 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

other under that of, ' THE CASE OE JOHN HAMILTON.' It
was at first thought expedient to answer both, and both
were answered accordingly : But on reflecting that the
letter contained little more than a scurrilous inveet&e
against the Law and Lawyers, void alike both of argu-
ments and facts ; and that of all faults tediousness was
most unpardonable to a reader ; it was resolved to con-
sider the last only, in which all that was thought material
to support the charge is to be found. And whether that
other performance is the case or not, shall now be con-
sidered."

Such a transaction as this necessarily occasioned my
father much uneasiness of mind, and also involved him in
great expence : he had however the gratification to find
his conduct throughout the disagreeable business, universally
approved of, whilst that of Mr. Hervey was generally
condemned, and ultimately caused his banishment from
society, and he was actually compelled to leave the Capital,
and take up his abode in a sequestered part of the country,
where himself and his base conduct were alike unknown.

And now, after this digression, to return to myself. With
all my father's friends and acquaintances I was a great
favorite ; his military friends declaring I must be a soldier,
while those of the Navy insisted upon that line being the
best adapted to such a volatile and high spirited boy as I
was. By the time I was five years of age, I got the nick name
of " PICKLE," a name I fear I have through life proved to
have been but too well applied. My father's own wish
respecting me was that I should be brought up to the Law,
to qualify me for which profession, he intended to give me
the best of education, and in due time have me called to the
Bar, where he was pleased to say from the quickness of nay
parts, and excellent talents, he was convinced I should
make a conspicuous figure. But alas, through life it has
been my misfortune, or more properly speaking, my fault,
to mar and disappoint all his views ; his kind and generous
intentions respecting me. This tendency first betrayed
itself when I was only seven years old, by my then attaching

DESTINED FOR THE NAVY 7

myself to an intimate friend of my family's. Captain Gam-
bier, (father, I believe, of the present Lord Gambier) who
wa at that time a Post Captain in the Royal Navy, and
with whom I declared my positive determination to go,
no matter where his destination might be* This greatly
pleased Captain Gambier, but sadly distressed boih my
father and mother, who, as long as possible opposed my
going to sea, but at length yielded to the Captain's earnest
solicitations that they would comply with my inclination
and wish, to which I obstinately adhered, and in consequence
I was forthwith entered upon the books of the Burford, a
74 gun ship, just put into commission and in the course of
a few months to go to the West Indies, under Captain
Gambier's command.

Not having had the small pox, it was considered necessary
previous to my embarking in my new way of life, to have
me inoculated, for which purpose I was taken to Twicken-
ham, where my father had just built and completed a
handsome spacious mansion, situated close to our celebrated
poet, Pope's, upon the margin of the Thames at the part
called Cross Deep, and commanding a charming prospect,
particularly of Richmond Hill and park. Here I was put
under a regimen and course of medicine, according to the
custom of those days, preparatory to inoculation.

After being dosed for three weeks, a day was fixed for
performing th6 operation. At the appointed hour, Mr.
Scott the surgeon and apothecary of the place, attended,
when lo ! the little patient was nowhere to be found.
After searching every hole and corner in and about the
house, the garden, and all my usual haunts, not forgetting
the boat, in vain, the utmost alarm prevailed. Servants
were dispatched in every direction round the neighbour-
hood, but with no better success, no tidings could be ob-
tained of little Pickle, until it occurred to the gardener to
take a peep into the wooden habitation of Ccesar, an im-
mense house dog of the mastiff breed, who though un-
commonly fierce I could do anything with, and sure enough
ther$ was I found, snug in the kennel with my trusty friend,

8 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

and where for above half an hour, whilst making a pillow
of Casar's shaggy hide, as he slept, I had been laughing at,
and enjoying the uproar and confusion arising from /ny
supposed loss.

Being thus discovered, I was dragged forth, and after
some upbraidings from my mother for the fright I had
given her, was taken to my bed chamber, where an incision
was made in each arm, as if the operator intended to
cut me up, the wound being at least two inches in length,
and nearly to the bone, in depth, the scars of which remain
very visible at the present day. Yet all this butchery
(which was the mode then universally pursued) was of no
avail, for owing to the matter being too old, or from some
other unknown cause, I did not take the infection.

This was in the summer of 1756. In the month of July
of that year a large party dined with my father, at Twicken-
ham, at which were present Lord Cholmondeley, and his
brother, the General, Sir Charles Sheffield, the owner of the
Queen's Palace in St. James's park, then called Buckingham
house, Sir William Stanhope, to whom Pope's place belonged,
Mr. Simon Luttrell, afterwards Earl of Carhampton, my
God-father Colonel Mathews, and others. As I was sitting
upon the knee of the latter, after dinner, having just swal-
lowed a bumper of claret which he had given me, I, with a
deep sigh said to him,

" I wish I was a man."

"Aye," observed the Colonel, "and pray why so,
William ? "

To which I quickly replied,

" That I might drink two bottles of wine every day."

This wish, and the reason, being communicated to the
company made a hearty laugh, and Mr. Luttrell, who was
a famous hard liver, pronounced that I should live to be a
damned drunken dog, the rest agreeing that I should
undoubtedly be a very jolly fellow ! I believe, with no more
than justice to myself, I may say, the latter prediction,
as the milder of the two, proved nearest the truth. I
certainly have at different periods drank very freely, some-

DEATH OF HIS GOD-FATHER 9

times to excess, but it never arose from the sheer love of
wine. Society cheerful companions, and lovely seducing
wwaen always delighted me and frequently proved my
bane, but intoxication for itself I detested, and invariably
suffered grievously from. Spirits of every kind I greatly
disliked and never touched ; generous wine, in the way
above mentioned, I had no objection to, preferring claret,
yet enjoying a bottle of port.

In the same month of July (1756) my God-father, Mr,
Ryan, lost his life, by an accident. Having retired from
business, with a very independent fortune, he had just
converted his late tavern into ar capital private dwelling
house, and intended to open the same with a splendid
entertainment, to which his numerous friends and supporters
were invited. One of his guests on the morning of the day
on which the dinner was to be, hearing him lament that he
should be deprived of his usual ride from his horse being ill,
offered him the use of his, an offer that was accepted. The
animal, which was of high blood, being alarmed as he was
passing the Gate of Hyde park coming into Piccadilly,
became restive, and threw his rider, who unfortunately
pitching upon his head on the pavement received a dreadful
and fatal fracture. He was immediately conveyed into
St. George's hospital, within a few yards of which the
accident happened, and where the ablest surgeons of London
did every thing that could be done, but on the first examina-
tion of the wound, the case was pronounced desperate, and
he died within an hour. The corpse was conveyed to his
house in Pall Mall, where it arrived at the very moment
several of the gentlemen invited to the dinner were getting
out of their carriages at the door. Upon the opening of his
Will the next morning, my family were much disappointed
at finding me a legatee for only one hundred pounds, as,
from what he had frequently said with respect to me, and
considering the uncommon affection he always shewed
towards me, it was expected he would have bequeathed m
an infinitely larger sum ; especially as he had no child,
nor any near relation. He died worth upwards of seventy

10 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

thousand pounds, the whole of which, with the exception
of a few legacies, trifling as my own, he left to his wife.

I was too young to feel any mortification at the smalli&ss
of the bequest to me, indeed, selfishness never has been
amongst my numerous faults, but I cried bitterly at the
loss of one who I felt loved me sincerely, and for years
afterwards I never passed the house without paying the
tribute of a sigh to his memory,

CHAPTER II

EAKLY SCHOOL DAYS

MY coat, and all the other paraphernalia of a midship-
man were now prepared, and a day appointed upon
which I was to leave London for Portsmouth, with my Com-
mander, who was to eat his last dinner at my father's, and
carry me off with him in a post-chaise. He accordingly
came, and found his young midshipman properly equipped,
but a circumstance occurred at the dinner that totally
altered my mind, and put a stop to my intended naval career.
It was this : I had a natural, and unconquerable antipathy
to fat of every kind, and never could swallow a morsel.
This my mother, imagining it to arise merely from caprice,
did all in her power to make me get the better of, and
mentioning the circumstance to Captain Gambier, he in-
stantly said, and in a tone of voice and manner that I did
not approve of,

" Oh ! never fear, Madam, when once William and I are
fairly out at sea, he will forget all his absurd prejudices,
and I daresay will be glad to have a bit of fat with his
brother midshipmen."

From that moment I had done with Captain Gambier,
and directly exclaimed that I did not like him, and would
not go to his ship. Ho was astonished, appearing really
disappointed and vexed. He said and did every thing in
his power to make mo clmnge my determination, but I
resolutely adhered to it, protesting he never should have
it in his power to force me to eat what I abhorred. My
father and mother too by no means seconding him in
endeavouring to prevail on me to proceed, he was obliged
to depart without me. Notwithstanding this capriciousncss
in me, he continued my name as a midshipman upon the
Bw ford's books the whole time that ship remained in

li

12 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

commission, which was for a period of six years, and when-
ever he afterwards saw me, used, very good humouredly,
to call me his little fickle midshipman, adding, that a^my
rank was still going on, he yet hoped he should live to see
me in the road to becoming an Admiral. It has since been
my lot to be very much at sea, but I have never in the
whole course of my life been able to eat fat, not even that
of venison, or turtle.

In the Autumn of this year there came to live with my
mother a pretty, smart little girl named Nanny Harris,
who was strongly recommended by the Duchess of Man-
chester. Her situation in our family was between that of
a companion and* servant;, in the latter capacity chiefly
to attend to two young sisters of mine, twins, the last
children my mother had. The whole of the mornings she
worked at her needle in the same room with my mother,
and dined in the Nursery, where she also slept, my bed
being in an adjoining closet. Nanny Harris at once became
my delight, and I was no less so hers. Every night when the
servant had taken away the candle, she used to take me
to her bed, there fondle and lay me upon her bosom. She
was as wanton a little baggage as ever existed, and it was
some years afterwards discovered that the Duchess of Man-
chester had discarded her for debauching Master Montague
(her only son) when thirteen years old, which circumstance
her Grace most improperly omitted to mention, when re-
commending the girl, as a confidential servant in a private
family. Upon such conduct I shall make no comment nor
should I have noticed it at all, but that the ways of Nanny
Harris strongly influenced me through several years of my
life. This infatuating jade did not continue much above
a year in our family. Her amours were too numerous,' and
too undisguisedly carried on not to be seen by my mother.
She was consequently discarded with ignominy, and imme-
diately after went into keeping with a young gentleman of
fortune, who had seen and admired her whilst living with
us. I shall have occasion to make further mention of
this unfortunate girl hereafter.

AT WESTMINSTER SCHOOL 13

My father now resumed his hopes that I should fuliil his
wishes, and that he might possibly live to see me a Chief
Justice or Lord Chancellor of England, for which purpose
he exerted his utmost endeavours to lead my young mind
to look up to, and aspire to those dignified and elevated
situations.

The famous poet, Charles Churchill had just at this
period, published proposals for receiving into his house, and
educating, for the Universities, six youths of good connec-
tions and my father had it in contemplation to send me as
one of the number, but upon consulting some friends
thereon, particularly Mr. Edmund Burke, with whom, and
all his family, he lived upon the most familiar terms,
that gentleman was of opinion that the profligacy and
immorality of Churchill's private character rendered him a
most unfit person to undertake the education and training
of young people, and it wotild seem the same sentiment
generally prevailed respecting him, as not even a single
pupil was offered to him. It was then determined that I
should be sent to Westminster school, preparatory to which
I was placed at a day school in Charles Street, St. James's
Square, for the purpose of learning to read and write, as
well as to acquire the rudiments of the Westminster
Grammar.

At Christmas my brother** wore taken from Harrow
where they had been upwards of two years, and in January
1757, we all three went to Westminster ; they having made
some proficiency in Latin, were stationed in the upper
second, whilst I took my seat in what was denominated,
" The Idle Class," that is, at the very bottom of the school,
where all those who have not received some previous in-
struction in Latin are placed. I however soon got out of
that disgraceful and ignorant form, passed with rapidity
and eclat the under and upper petty, and entered into the
upper first, where most unluckily for me the famous Bob
Lloyd, the elegant poet and scholar, but dissipated friend
and companion of the above mentioned Charles Churchill,
presided as usher. He was an only sou of the worthy and

U MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

truly respectable Dr. Lloyd, then, and for many subse-
quent years, the under master, the equally respectable and
esteemed Dr. Markham, afterwards Archbishop of %>rk,
(who lately closed a long and honourable life) being the
head master.

From some boyish, but mischievous pranks of mine, this
Reverend gentleman, Mr. Robert Lloyd, though himself
far from a Saint, took a strong and rooted dislike to me,
which he had many opportunities of betraying, and in
consequence of his prejudice he let no occasion pass of
what is there termed, " shewing me up," that is, con-
ducting me to his father the Doctor, to procure me a flogging,
the Ushers having no authority to use the birch, that
tremendous instrument to school boys, the rod, being within
the peculiar province of the two Masters only. The culprit
thus " shewn, up " is never heard in the way of defence,
the charge, as exhibited by the Usher, is conclusive, and
the posterior of the unhappy delinquent undergoes a casti-
gation. This ceremony the frequency of its recurrence in
no degree reconciled me to, and as I imagined I was often
unjustly punished, I took a violent dislike to the school,
and every thing appertaining to it, with the exception of a
few of the boys, to whom I was greatly and sincerely attached.
Amongst these, my chief favorites were, Sir Watkin
Williams Wynne, the father of the present Baronet, and
Robert Henley, who afterwards succeeded to the title of
Earl of Northington ; the latter and myself were sworn
brothers, and many a scrape we mutually got each other
into.

The disgust at the harsh treatment I met with pro-
duced an indifference as to all the school exercises. I
falsely argued, that as I was to be flogged, it had better
be for some offence, than without cause ; instead therefore
of preparing my Theme, Verses, or construing Virgil, I
loitered away my time in Tothill fields, and St. James's
park, or if I could muster cash, hired a boat to cruise about
Chelsea reach ; in most of which excursions my friend
Henley accompanied me, and consequently came in for

SCHOOL RECOLLECTIONS 15

his share of stripes. One of our chief amusements was going
, to the parade at the Horse Guards, to look at the soldiers
excising, and at nine o'clock accompanying the daily
relief in their march to Kensington, where His Majesty
then resided.

One of the most severe floggings I received was for
going on several following days to gratify an idle curiosity
in staring at a house in Leicester fields, where a murder
had been committed upon the person of a Mrs. King,
the owner of the house. This lady had some years before
been in keeping by a gentleman of large fortune, who,
upon his death, bequeathed to her an annuity of two or
three hundred pounds a year, together with the house
above alluded to, in Leicester fields. For the purpose of
increasing her income, she let the greater part of this mansion
out to lodgers, herself occupying the parlours, sitting in
the front, and using the back one for a bed chamber. In her
youth she had been an extraordinary fine woman, but at
the time of her death was rather on the decline, and nearly
approaching to her fortieth year. She kept only one
servant, a female. Her first floor was unoccupied, a family
who had resided there for many months having just left it.
The second floor was let to a foreigner, I believe a French-
man, named Gardclle, a quiet, well disposed person, who,
during a long period he had lodged there, conducted himself
with the utmost propriety and decorum. He spent much
of his time with his landlady Mrs. King, and frequently
drank tea in her apartment. During this friendly inter-
course she let him into part of the history of her earlier
years, from the knowledge of which circumstances he at
length began to think ho might as well avail himself of hei
former levity of character, and proposed himself to supply
the place of her discarded patron, a proposal she rejected
with the utmost disdain. She nevertheless still continued
to receive and entertain him as a visitor. Thus encouraged,
he imagined a little gentle violence might effect his amorous
object, and he determined to make his attack before she
rose from her bed, with which intention he left his own room

16 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

between seven and eight o'clock in the morning, when,
telling the maid servant her mistress would not want her
for two or three hours, as she seldom rose until after Jten,
he requested her to go to the most distant part of Holborn,
there to purchase a particular kind of snuff for him.

Having thus got rid of the servant, he immediately
descended to the front parlour, through which he entered
into the adjoining chamber, where Mrs. King lay asleep.
Upon his pulling down the bed clothes and kissing her,
she awoke and screamed. Gardelle greatly alarmed thereat
told her who he was and that he meant her no harm,
for the room being in almost utter darkness she could not
distinguish his features. Upon his so announcing himself,
she abused him grossly, bidding him instantly quit her
chamber or she would be the death of him, and being a
strong, powerful woman, she at the same time gave him so
severe a blow in his stomach as nearly to knock him back-
wards and deprive him of all sense. Staggered and appalled
(as he afterwards described himself to have been from the
severity of the blow Mrs. King gave him) he seized the poker
from the fire place, which unfortunately was close at hand,
and with it struck the unhappy woman so desperate a blow
on the head that the blood gushed out in a torrent, and she
fell back on the bed utterly insensible. In absolute despair
at what he had done and afc perceiving the blood streaming
down the bed, he concluded he had kiUedTher. His thoughts
were thereupon occupied entirely as to the best method of
disposing of the body. After some consideration he drew from
his pocket a large clasp knife, which opening he instantly
separated the head from the body, and wrapping up the
former in one of the already bloody sheets, he carried it down
stairs, through the kitchen, and deposited it in the dust
hole, which was in the front area, there covering it care-
fully over with dust and rubbish.

By the time he had done this, he expected the maid
servant might return with the snuff ; he therefore locked
the parlour door, and putting the key in his pocket sat
down in the front room of the first floor to wait her

A TRAGEDY IN LEICESTER FIELDS IT

arrival, having previously washed his hands to get rid of
the stains of blood. Upon the maid servant's knocking at
this* door he went down and let her in, and told her that
in about half an hour af fcer she left the house, a lady had
called in a post chaise to inform Mrs. King that a favourite
sister of hers was suddenly seized with a dangerous illness
and expressed a very earnest desire to see her, in conse-
quence of which she (Mrs. King) had hastily packed up a
few clothes and set out with the lady who brought the
intelligence, into Herefordshire. He also told her that as
Mrs. King did nob know how long she might be absent
she had directed him to pay what wages were due and
to discharge her, a chair- woman being sufficient to light
his fire and make his bed as he never ate at home. The
servant observed that this was a very extraordinary
manner of turning her off who had committed no offence ;
however, she added, she had not the least objection to
leaving such a place, where there was a great deal of
labour and bad pay. She accordingly collected her
things together, and in about two hours afterwards left the
house, but stopped at the next door but one to tell a friend
who lived there as cook, of the sudden and odd way in
which she had been discharged.

Having thus got the house to himself he began to con-
sider in what manner he should dispose of the unfortunate
woman's body. After various pkns that hastily occurred
to his mind he finally resolved upon burning it, as the most
likely way to leave no trace of the transaction. To carry
which purpose into effect he dragged the mangled corpse
from the back parlour, up stairs into one of the garrets,
where he kindled a fire. Then cutting the body into small
pieces he thus consumed it, but the fireplace being very
small the process was of course slow and he was six days in
completing his horrid task, during which period he never
onco wont outside of the street door, subsisting himself
upon the food that happened to be prepared at the time of
the fatal transaction. After being taken into custody he
declared that during the whole of those six days the agita-

18 MEMOIRS OP WILLIAM HICKEY

tion of Ms mind was so great that he totally lost all
appetite and did not believe he ate an ounce a day, nor
ever drank anything but water.

On tie sixth evening, having made a larger fire than
usual, to complete his miserable object, some of the neigh-
bours observing a prodigious smoke bursting from the top
of the chimney, apprehended it was on fire and in conse-
quence they knocked loudly at the door, when no one
answering, their fears were confirmed, and after consult-
ing what was best to be done, it was agreed to force the
street door and examine the house. This was accordingly
done. Upon entering the front parlour they saw the
marks of blood in several places upon the floor, and
from under the door of the adjoining room, where it
was known Mrs. King always slept, they also perceived a
stream of blood running, whereupon they broke that door
open likewise, when from the state of the room it was but
too evident that murder had been committed. A general
search instantly took place throughout the house, and
Gardelle was discovered in the garret sitting in a mont
disconsolate state by the fire. Being charged with having
committed the murder, he directly confessed that he had
put the unfortunate woman to death, describing the mannor
in which he had disposed of the body, adding, that the
head of the deceased would be found in the dust hole, ho
having intended to consume that and the sheet of tho bed
in which it was wrapped, the following morning. The dust
hole being examined, the head was there found in the manner
he had described he had placed it.

Being taken before a Magistrate, after a scrupulous
examination into the circumstances of the case, ho was
committed to Newgate, and at their next Sessions, being
brought to trial, he was convicted and sentenced to death.
He did not deny the fact but declared, when he went down
to Mrs. King's room he had no more idea of committing
murder than he had of mounting the throne of Great
Britain, that he was so astonished at the resistance she
made and the violent blow she gave him, as not to

TWIN SISTERS 19

know what tie did at the moment, and in his fright
conceiving she would kill him, he with a view merely to
defend himself, seized the poker which unluckily stood
within his reach and struck the fatal blow, which blow he
at the time imagined had killed her, under which impression
his sole object then became to evade discovery and to
dispose of the body. Being asked why he had not during
so long a period attempted to escape when there was no one
to oppose his so doing, instead of staying so many days in
the house to consume the corpse, he replied that he had at
three different times attempted it, having actually descended
the stairs and got into the passage leading to the street
door, for the purpose of leaving the house, when there
always appeared to be an armed man standing close to the
door who opposed his progress, in consequence of which he
abandoned his purpose and returned to the garret.

This unfortunate man was executed in the Haymarket, at
the corner of Panton Street. He would have suffered upon
the spot opposite the house wherein he had committed the
murder, but that it immediately faced the then residence
of some of the Royal family in Leicester House. After
execution the body was cut down and conveyed to Hounslow
heath where it was hung in chains. The gibbet being in the
course of my morning rides from Twickenham, I about two
years afterwards passing under it, like an inconsiderate
foolish boy, struck at the remains of the skeleton and
actually knocked off the toes from one of the feet. For
many weeks after the discovery of the murder a large mob
assembled in front of the house, every person in turn putting
their noses to the keyhole of the front door when each
individual went away perfectly satisfied that they smelt the
burning of the flesh and bones. The house remained un-
tenanted for several years, but the story being at last for-
gotten it became once more inhabited and still continues so.

My mother had, I think, five children within the eight
years after my birth, who all died in early infancy. In 1758
she was delivered of the twins before mentioned, both
girls, who were born within ten minutes of each other, and

20 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

so alike that a ribbon was put round the arm of the eldest,
to distinguish her from her sister. These twins were chris-^
tened Ann and Sarah, and are both still living. The liken<Ss
however did not continue long ; Ann became an erect,
slim, and beautiful figure, whilst Sarah remained a fat
jubsy as she still is.

In the summer of this year, Earl Ferrers was brought to
trial for killing Mr. Johnson, his steward, the preparations
for which trial in Westminster hall was a source of much
amusement to us Westminsters. His Lordship being found
guilty and sentenced to death, Henley and I agreed to
attend the execution and did so. His Lordship was con-
veyed to Tyburn in his own landau, dressed in a superb
suit of white and silver, being the clothes in which he was
married, his reason for wearing which was that they had
been his first step towards ruin, and should attend his
exit. In compliment to his peerage he was hung by a silk
halter, a common cord being covered with black silk, and
instead of a cart driving from under him, a stage or plat-
form was erected, upon a trap door in which he stood, and
on his dropping a handkerchief from his hand, the trap was
lowered and he of course became suspended. He met
death with fortitude, though many persons said there was
a wildness in his eyes and countenance that strongly in-
dicated a deranged mind,

CHAPTER III

BOYHOOD

^BOUT a year after I had been at Westminster, my father
. got a prize in the State Lottery, which he said, although
he always put himself in fortune's way, was the only one he
ever had, and this one instance of luck he owed to a man
named Edmund Watts, who had lived with him a dozen
years as a footman. Watts had been brought up in the
family of an old friend of my father's, a Mr. Charlton, who
upon his death bed consigned him (Watts) to my father's
care, and he proved an affectionate and faithful servant.
The drawing of the lottery being within a few days of con-
cluding and the largest prize continuing in the wheel, made
the price of tickets uncommonly high, which made my father
resolve to sell his, as he should thereby secure a gain of
twenty pounds. He accordingly delivered the ticket to
Watts, desiring him to go to a Lottery office and sell it.
Enquiring the following morning whether this had been
done, Watts answered he had been too late. My father
thereupon ordered him immediately to search if it still
remained undrawn, and if it did to sell it. Watts again
left home, and remained abroad until near the usual hour
of dining, when he returned with the ticket still unsold,
My father was very angry that his orders were not obeyed
and swore that if Watta did not dispose of the ticket,
pursuant to his orders, that day, he would make him
responsible for the then value of it. Directly after dinner
Watts sallied forth fully determined to sell the ticket, when
searching at the office he daily frequented, he had the satis-
faction to be told it had been drawn that morning a prize
of one thousand pounds. Delighted at the success attend-
ing his obstinate perseverance in omitting to sell tho ticket
as orderedj he ran home to communicate the pleasing news a

21

22 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

Shortly after this circumstance had occurred, Mr. Francis
Charlton, a son of Watts* old master, wrote from India i^
desire Watts would come out to him, as he should have it in
his power to put him in the way of making a moderate
fortune in a few years. In consequence of this letter, my
father applied to the Court of Directors, and obtained free
Merchants Indentures for Watts, with liberty to proceed
on one of their ships to Bengal. Besides which he equipped
him with a sufficient stock of clothes and paid his passage
money ; an act of generosity and kindness Watts always
very gratefully acknowledged ; and my father had the
gratification fifteen years afterwards to see him return
to his native country with a handsome independence,
where he married a woman to whom he had been attached
from early youth, and lived happily for several years, having
departed this life but lately.

On the 22nd of October 1760, I had intended to skip
school, and take the usual march with the Guards to Ken*
sington, but knowing that I was too early for the parade, I
was sauntering about the Abbey between seven and eight
o'clock in the morning, when I heard an elderly gentleman
address an acquaintance of his who was looking at the
monuments, and after the common salutation, asked him
if he had heard the news, to which being answered in the
negative, he added, " The King is dead, I saw a messenger
who brought the intelligence to Whitehall just now. His
Majesty was seized with an apoplectic fit at six o'clock this
morning, and died in half an hour." Upon hearing this I
instantly ran into school, where Mr. Hinchliff, (afterwards
Bishop of Peterborough) was the only Usher then present,
and I roared out, " The King's dead," whereupon Mr.
Hinchlifi came up to me, and taking hold of my ear, said,
" What's that you say, young man ? Do you know you are
liable to be hanged for treason ? " Whilst I was explaining
the manner in which I had gained the information, Doctors
Markham and Lloyd entered the school, announcing the
melancholy event, and as certain official situations which
they respectively held, made their personal attendance

DEATH OF GEORGE II 23

requisite, an immediate adjournment of school took place,
when tho boys, unmindful of the sad event that had occa-
sfcned the unexpected " early play," set up a loud huxza,
according to custom when a holiday out of the common
course was obtained, the technical term for which was
" an early play."

Early in the year 1761, Mr. Thomas Hieky, an old ac-
quaintance of my father's, came over from Ireland. This
gentleman was an opulent merchant of Dublin. After
being a fortnight with us in St. Albaus Street, ho took a
great liking to my brother Henry, and proposed to my
father to bring him up to his business, for which purpose
he would receive him as an apprentice, and at tho expiration
of his clerkship would admit him a partner. This oiler
was too advantageous not to be readily accepted of, and
Henry being much pleased with it he in another month
took his departure for Dublin with his new master. During
four years they agreed wonderfully well, at the end oi
which period Henry, getting into bad company, often stayed
out all night, which occasioned remonstrances, without effect,
whereupon Mr. Micky told him that if he persisted in such
evil courses, they must part. A temporary reform then
took place and all went on smoothly. Tho time of servitude,
(five years), being nearly out, Mr. Micky, who wan a bigoted
papist, proposed to my brother to become a Roman Catholic,
observing, that upon his doing so, ho would give him his
niece in marriage, take him into partnership, and at his
death would leave him his heir. This advantageous offer
Henry, upon principle, rejected, not thinking it correct to
abandon tho religious tenets in which ho had been brought
up, and he had the more merit in this from the greatness
of the temptation, for besides the pecuniary consideration
the proposed bride was every thing a man could wish for.
The old zealot was enraged at Henry's refusal, and desired
he would instantly quit his house for ever, which ho accord-
ingly did, and forthwith launched out into every species of
extravagance and dissipation the City of Dublin admitted
of. Within a twelvemonth the young lady died, and her

24 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

uncle survived only a few months, leaving nearly two hun-
dred thousand pounds sterling to different public charities^

Upon Henry's return to England, after the above failjrJfc
in the Irish scheme, my father, through the interest of the
Earl of Egmont, procured him a situation of two hundred
and fifty pounds per annum, in the Victualling office,
but such an income as that proved very inadequate to the
style of living Henry had engaged in. He had connected
himself with many of the gay adventurers of London, men
who lived by their wits ; that is nobody knew how, though
some of them kept carriages, race horses, and establish-
ments of the most expensive kind. Amongst the most
conspicuous of these gentry was Major Walter Nugent, of
His Majesty's Corps of Marines, whose fate it had been to
fight several duels, although there never existed a milder
or better tempered person than he was. Henry's other chief
companions were, Tethrington, the notorious Dick England,
Gilly Mahon, Swords, Wall, and many more of the same
description ; with all of whom I, as a fine forward youth,
was in high favour, and many a bumper of champagne and
claret have I drank in the society of this set, at taverns
and brothels, accompanied by the most lovely women of
the Metropolis, and this before I had completed my four-
teenth year.

After such an account of the males of the party, I
scarcely need add that their resources arose from gambling,
but it is no more than common justice to say, all, and
each of them invariably discouraged me by every means
and every argument in their power from ever playing,
and whenever they were about to commence hazard I was
always sent away. The consequence was, and has been
through life, that I have never felt the least inclination to
gamble, and have at least escaped the evils attending that
vice. Would it were in my power to say the same of many
other vices, especially those of women and wine, but truth
will not admit of it ; in those two excesses I have too freely
indulged.

My brother Henry's follies cost him many a painful.

HENRY HICKEYVS FOLLIES 25

many a melancholy day, and ultimately were the cause
^>f his death. He continued the style of life, and in the
society above mentioned until the year 1770, when, in a
drunken riot, he being one of a party that sallied forth
from Mrs. Harrington's Bagnio at Charing Cross, brim full
of burgundy, and at a late hour of the night, an affray
suddenly arose in the street in which a man was unfor-
tunately killed, being, as it was imagined, run through the
body by England. The consequence was the whole set
immediately secreted themselves, and my brother Henry
receiving information the following morning, that he was
particularly named to the Magistrate before whom an
account of the transaction had been officially laid, thought
it prudent to leave the country and set off for Paris ; though
he afterwards often assured me by letter and orally, in
the most solemn manner, that he neither drew his sword s
nor struck a single blow, and had nothing at all to do with
the unlucky accident further than being one of the company.
After spending a few months at Paris, he went and
settled with a respectable Abbe, at Caen, in Normandy,
in which retirement he made himself a proficient in the
French language, and passed the only three quiet, in-
offensive, and happy years of his life.

The widow of the unfortunate man who lost his life
having, long after the circumstance occurred, accepted a
pecuniary compensation from some of the party, engaged
never to prosecute any of them on account of her husband's
death, which being communicated to my brother Henry,
he and the others who had fled returned to England, when
my father, being at a loss what to do with his said son,
at last obtained a cadetship for him in the East India
Company's army at Madras, and at the end of the year
1773 he embarked for Fort St. George, on board the Cole-
broolce, which ship struck on a sunken rock going into
False Bay, at the Cape of Good Hope, and was totally lost,
the passengers and crew being all saved by the boats of
the fleet in company. My brother, after a long and disas-
trous voyage, reached his destined port of Madras, but

26 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

though, in the prime of life with respect to years, he was,
*owing to the excesses already alluded to, very old in co^-"
stitution, his whole system being so shaken and enervated
that he could not stand the sudden and violent change of
climate. In six months after his arrival a fever proved
fatal to him.

In detailing these latter circumstances relative to my
Drother Henry, I have carried my narrative to its conclusion
with some anticipation as to the order of time, as I have
also done in some other instances hereinafter. To return
therefore to the year 1761, in the month of January of
which year my elder brother (Joseph) left Westminster
school, and was articled to my father as an Attorney. I
continued at the school, but as well might I have been any-
where else, for I never attended to the books I read, further
than barely to enable myself to pass through the daily
examination, which was in fact a mere ceremony, the Master
seldom observing whether the book was open or shut. I
however, notwithstanding all my idleness and inattention,
reached the upper fourth, and of course had commenced
Greek, the whole of which, as also the Latin I acquired,
has long since so far escaped my memory that I should
find it difficult to translate a single sentence of either
Horace or Virgil.

In the middle of the year 1761, I beKeve during the
Whitsuntide holidays, two circumstances occurred at
which I have since frequently laughed very heartily : one
happened in London, the other at Twickenham. My father
had an acquaintance named Joy, a very testy and surly old
fellow : as I had never seen him, I knew not of a strange
trick he had previous to uttering any sentence of saying,
" tut, tut, tut, tut " four or five times, after which out
came what he wished to express without further hesitation
or difficulty. This gentleman called one morning in St.
Albans Street, and upon the door being opened by a
servant, seeing me playing in the passage, he instead of
enquiring of the servant, addressed ine, with his usual,
" Tut, tut, tut, tut, is your father at home, my little man,"

THOMAS HUDSON THE PAINTER 27

to which I instantly and pertly replied, " Tut, tut, tut, tut,
-K^my big man, 55 whereupon he gave me so hearty a box
on 'the side of the face as actually to knock me down, and
calling me an insolent and impertinent Jackanapes, he
walked away ; nor could he ever aft-erwards bear the sight
of me.

The other prank had more of mischief on my part
in it. My father's next door neighbour, on the left, at
Twickenham, was Mr. Hudson, the portrait painter, to
whom the celebrated artist, Sir Joshua Reynolds, had been a
pupil. His figure was rather grotesque, he being uncommonly
low in stature, with a prodigious belly, and constantly
wearing a large white bushy perriwig. He was remarkably
good tempered, and one of my first rate favorites, not-
withstanding he often told me that I should certainly come
to be hanged. I was always playing my monkey tricka
with him, and thereby getting into disgrace. He was one
day chatting with my father upon the lawn, and leaning
his body forward upon a thick cane he used in walking.
Upon observing the slanting direction of this cane, it
occurred to me that a slight touch would give him a glorious
tumble. The idea, and carrying it into execution were of
the same moment. With all the force I could muster, I
kicked the stick near the bottom. Away it went, and down
came poor Hudson upon his fat paunch, with a tremendous
grunt. I was terrified at my own feat, which however,
having accomplished, I considered a retreat the next wisest
measure for me to adopt, and accordingly took to my heels.
Well it was perhaps that I did so, for the old gentleman in a
violent rage, raising himself upon his knees, seized the stick
and with all the strength he could exert in that posture,
sent it flying at me ; he however missed his aim, it passed
without effect, and by the attempt I avoided a flogging,
for my father who was seriously offended at this malicious
trick, would have thrashed me soundly, but on seeing the
heavy cane fly close to my head, he observed to Mr. Hudson,
that as he had endeavoured to revenge himself, and h&d
his object succeeded might have done me a serious injury,

28 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

that attempt should secure me from the punishment my
wickedness deserved, and which I undoubtedly shojj^l
otherwise have undergone. I was really and truly sorry
for what I had done. Mr. Hudson I greatly respected,
and doing him the slightest injury never entered my head.
Feeling as I did the fault I had committed, I expressed my
contrition and sorrow in a manner that highly pleased him,
and he being a very different sort of man to Mr. Joy, he
readily and kindly forgave me, and the nest day we were
as good friends as ever.

Whenever I was at Twickenham I passed much of my
time upon the water, rowing about in a boat of my father's,
and when I could get a companion as I could not alone
manage sailing. In one of these excursions, having a Mr.
William Cane, (of whom I shall hereafter have occasion to
speak much) and a first cousin of mine, John Edwards,
then a Lieutenant of infantry, with me, we were running
up against the stream at a quick rate, when the boat, from
a sudden gust of wind, taking a deep heel, I tumbled over-
board and down I went, but as I had the sheet of the sail
in my hand at the time, on my quitting it upon falling into
the water, the sail blew about loose, which kept the boat
nearly stationary. Edwards, who swam tolerably well,
jumped over to endeavour to recover me. I rose twice, as
Cane said, and was just again sinking when, my cousin
caught hold of me by the hair, and with Mr. Cane's assistance
got me into the boat when nearly exhausted.

In consequence of this accident I was forbid going
upon the water, but never very obedient to orders that
I did not approve or considered tyrannical, I found fre-
quent opportunities of taking a cruise, to put an end to
which my father's next measure was securing the boat
with an iron chain and padlock. This unjust step, as I
pronounced it, only set my wits to work. I recollected
that Mr. Hindley, who possessed a house late the property
of Lord Radnor, a short distance from ours, had a small
canoe, which was kept in a narrow channel, or creek of
the Thames, opposite hii hous, merely m a pretty object

ADVENTURES ON THE THAMES 29

for the eye. This I conceived would answer my purpose,
a$jd I prevailed on the gardener not only to let me have the
use" of it, but to make me a double feathered paddle to
work it with, which, when ready I began my manoeuvres,
taking special care until I became used to my ticklish
vessel, not to venture into deep water. This canoe was
just my own length, only fifteen inches wide, and of so
tottering a nature that bending my body to the right or to
the left would endanger the upsetting it. During my practice
I got many a ducking, but in a few weeks I became so
expert in the management of it that I with confidence
ventured into deep water. Both ends were exactly of the
same form, so that I could go either way without turning ;
it had no seat, I therefore placed myself as nearly in the
centre as I could, and working the feathers of the paddle
alternately, went on at a quick rate. Having thus accom-
plished the perfect management of my little vessel, the
next object I had in view was unexpectedly to exhibit
myself in it, and thereby dreadfully to alarm my fond
mother for the safety of her darling boy, to effect which
cruel and ungrateful purpose, I fixed upon a day when
company were to dine at our house, who being assembled
and walking upon the lawn previous to dinner, I embarked
at Lord Radnor's and going round an Island suddenly
made my appearance in the middle of the Thames, opposite
my father's, to the infinite terror and alarm of my dear
mother, but even this did not satisfy me, for laying myself
flat along in the canoe, the whole party concluded the
bottom had given way and that I was gone, never more to
appear. A loud and general scream ensued from the party ;
servants were dispatched in all directions to procure
assistance ; our own boat, Mr. Hindley's, Sir William
Stanhope's, Mr. Hudson's, and two fishermen's punts were
in a few minutes all in motion, pulling away to endeavour
to recover my little carcase. When I heard their oars near
my canoe, to the utter astonishment of those on board
them, up I rose on my breech. My father was excessively
angry at this prank, but my mother's joy was so great at

80 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

seeing me safe that she proved a successful advocate in
obtaining my pardon. My friend Mr. Hudson took thaj-
opportunity of once more remarking there was not tne
least danger of my being drowned, fate having decreed me
a very different end.

Very soon after the above mentioned trick, I had
another very narrow escape from a watery grave. I was
paddling away close to the Island I have already spoken
of, when sticking the end of the paddle into the bank
to shove the canoe forward, the soil, being a stiff clay,
made such a resistance as instantly to upset my tottering
craft, and I was immersed in at least eight feet of water,
under a perpendicular bank, and here my career would
have ended had it not been for a fisherman named Rogers,
who happened to be near the spot at the time in his
punt, arranging baskets for catching eels, and seeing me in
the water he instantly came to my assistance and picked
me up. I had other escapes from perilous situations I got
into with my canoe, which made my father think it would
be better to indulge me with a boat of a safer kind : he
accordingly ordered a small wherry to be built expressly
for my use, in which I used to row myself up and down to
and from Twickenham and London, a distance from the
windings of the river of at least eighteen miles. Sculling
this boat up in the Spring of the year, when the freshes
prevailed was an arduous and fatiguing task ; I have often
been tugging with all my might for five hours between
Kew and my father's house.

The Coronation of His present Majesty being fixed for
the month of September, my father determined that all his
family should be present at the ceremony. He therefore
engaged one of the Nunnery's, as they are called, in West-
minster Abbey, for which he paid fifty guineas. They are
situated at the head of the great columns that support
the roof, and command an admirable view of the whole
interior of the building. Upon this occasion they were
divided ofi by wooden partitions, each having a separate
entrance with lock and key to the door, with ease holding a

CORONATION OF GEORGE HI 81

dozen persons. Provisions, consisting of cold fowls, ham,
tongues, different meat pies, wines, and liquors of various
sfcrts were sent in to the apartment the day before, and two
servants were allowed to attend. Our party consisted of
my father, mother, brother Joseph, sister Mary, myself,
Mr. and Miss Isaacs, Miss Thomas, her brother (all Irish),
my uncle and aunt Boulton, and their eldest daughter.
We all supped together in St. Albans Street on the 21st of
September, and at midnight set off in my father's coach
and my uncle's, and Miss Thomas's chariot. At the end
of Pall Mall the different lines of carriages, nearly filling
the street, our progress was consequently tedious, yet the
time was beguiled by the grandeur of the scene, such a
multitude of carriages, with servants behind carrying
flambeaux, made a blaze of light equal to day, and had a
fine effect.

Opposite the Horse Guards we were stopped exactly an
hour without moving onward a single inch. As we ap-
proached near the Abbey, the difficulties increased, from
mistakes of the coachmen, some of whom were going
to the Hall, others to the Abbey, and getting into the
wrong ranks. This created much confusion and running
against each other, whereby glasses and panels were de-
molished without number, the noise of which, accompanied
by the screeches of the terrified ladies, was at times truly
terrific.

It was past seven in the morning before we reached
the Abbey, which having once entered, we proceeded
to our box without further impediment, Dr. Markham
having given us tickets which allowed our passing by a
private staircase, and avoiding the immense crowd that was
within. We found a hot and comfortable breakfast ready,
which I enjoyed, and which proved highly refreshing to us
all ; after which some of our party determined to take a
nap in their chairs, whilst I, who was well acquainted with
every creek and corner of the Abbey, amused myself
running about the long gallery until noon, when notice
being given that the procession had begun to move, I

82 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

resumed my seat. Exactly at one they entered the Abbey,
and we had a capital view of the whole ceremony. Tlujr
Majesties, (the King haying previously married), being
crowned, the Archbishop of Canterbury mounted the
pulpit to deliver the sermon, and as many thousands
were out of the possibility of hearing a single syllable, they
took that opportunity to eat their meal when the general
clattering of knives, forks, plates, and glasses that ensued,
produced a most ridiculous effect, and a universal burst of
laughter followed.

The sermon being concluded, the anthem was sung by
a numerous band of the first performers in the Kingdom,
and certainly was the finest thing I had ever heard. The
procession then began to move towards Westminster Hall,
at which moment my father received a paper from Lord
Egmont, enclosing four hall tickets, two of which he gave
to Mr. Thomas and me, desiring us to make the best of
our way. We descended, and attempted to follow the
procession, but were stopped by the soldiers, and told no
one could be allowed to pass that way, and that we must
go round to the Palace yard gate. Whilst endeavouring
to prevail on the men to let us proceed, I spied my friend
Colonel Salter, of the Guards, who was upon duty, a.nd
applying to him for assistance, he directly took us with
him, and we reached the hall, which we otherwise never
should have accomplished.

Upon getting into the raised gallery, it was so crammed
that I could not see an inch before me, until some gentle-
men kindly made way to let me forward, and then some
ladies, who were in a part that was railed off, seeing a fine
looking boy (which at that time I was) in distress, they with
the utmost good humour let me in, making room in the
front row. Thus I found myself in the very best place in
the hall, and within a few yards of their Majesties. I after-
wards learnt that this situation belonged to the Duke of
Queensbury, in right of some official post he held, they who
occupied it being relations and friends of the Duchess.
W were supplied abundantly with every kind of refresh-

SCENES IN WESTMINSTER HALL S3

ment. Sitting perfectly at ray ease, I saw the Dinner,
tlje Ceremony of the Champion, and every particular, and
was at a loss to decide which I thought the most mag-
nificent, the Abbey sceiie, or that of the hall. About ten
afc night the whole was over, and I got home as fast as the
crowd would permit, highly delighted at all I had seen, but
excessively fatigued, not having had any sleep the preceding
night, and having been so actively employed the entire day.
In the winter of this year I accidentally met in the park,
Mr. Murrough O'Brien, afterwards Earl of Inchiquin, and
finally Marquis of Thomond. After questioning me about
the school, he gave me a guinea, the first I believe I ever
had possessed. Having just then discovered the residence
of my wanton little bedfellow, Nanny Harris, I directly
went to her lodgings which were in a court that ran out of
Bow Street, Covent Garden. I told her the strength of my
purse, and proposed going to the play, which she consenting
to, there was I a hopeful sprig of 13, stuck up in a green
box, with a disreputable woman. From the theatre she
took me home to supper, giving me lobster and oysters,
both of which she knew I was very fond of, and plenty of
rum punch ; with my head full of which, at a lafce hour I
went home, and as I would not tell where I had been, I
received a smart flogging from the arm of my old operator,
Doctor Lloyd.

CHAPTER IV

THE REMOVAL FROM WESTMINSTER SCHOOL

Ethe summer of 1762, just as I was embarking in my
vherry, intending to proceed to Twickenham, one of
the City Companies' barges went by, on their annual ex-
cursion of pleasure, having a band of music with them.
This was an irresistible attraction to me. I accompanied
them up the river, keeping upon their quarter, except
that now and then I exerted myself and dashed ahead as
if they had been at an anchor. Vanity induced me to do
this, in order to shew my skill and adroitness, in which
my object was fully answered, the gentlemen appearing
delighted at the dexterity with which I manoeuvred my
boat. They presented me with cakes and wine from their
windows. At the end of the Terrace at Kew they stopped
in order to let the meia who rowed rest a little and take
some refreshment. Whilst so doing, the band played several
martial airs, which drew a number of listeners, both on the
land and in boats.

Upon again moving from Kew, they invited me to come
on board their barge, which I immediately did, and upon
finding that I was going to Twickenham, they insisted
upon my remaining with them, and directed my wherry
to be made fast astern of the barge. By the time they
had reached Richmond I had made myself of so much
importance by my spirits and fun that one and all pro-
tested I must stay and eat turtle with them. I, who
at no period of my life could resist a convivial party,
very readily consented. By this time I had discovered
that it was the Fishmongers 5 Company, going to a
Turtle and Venison feast at the Castle tavern at Rich-
mond. The party in general were very civil and attentive
to me, but more especially an elderly gentleman of the

A GUEST OF THE FISHMONGERS 35

name of Grubb, an eminent attorney in the City, and Clerk
to the Company. He desired me to sit down next to him
at table, and said he would take care of me. At two o'clock
we landed at the Castle and by three the party, consisting
of upwards of one hundred, sat down to a magnificent
dinner, consisting of three courses, in which every luxury
in the eating way appeared. This was followed by a dessert
equally splendid and costly with every hot house fruit
procurable. My new friend Mr. Grubb, who seemed to have
taken a prodigious liking to me, observing that I poured
down champagne at a great rate, with much good nature
cautioned me, observing that as I could not be in the hcabit
of drinking such potent wine, it would soon affect and
make me ill, to which I replied that I could drink as much
as the best of them, and thanks to my friend Henley, and
other Westminsters with whom I frequently took of large
potations, though not of champagne certainly, but port,
strong ales, and punch, and when our funds were low as
sometimes happened, hot flip, I had, for such a youngster,
a tolerably strong head.

As the evening advanced, my spirits were exhilarated,
and I sung several songs with which the company were
highly pleased, though some of them expressed no little
surprise at my selection, which undoubtedly was not of
the modestest sort. The party sat to a late hour, but I
held out until they broke up, when I was so drunk that
on rising from my chair I fell flat on the floor, where I
was given in charge of the master of the house who knew
me well. He had me put to bed, where I slept as if
dead until ten the next morning, at which time I awoke
with an excruciating headache, and found myself and the
bedclothes in woeful plight, having whilst I lay like a beast,
quite senseless, disgorged from my overcharged stomach
all the good things I had put into it. Upon going down
stairs I found considerable relief from drinking strong
coffee which the landlord's wife had very considerately
prepared for me. I was then told that the company had
departed about one in the morning, some of them in full

86 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

as bad a state as myself, having been carried bodily to the
barge, wholly incapable of walking or using their limbs.
At noon I got into my boat, and rowed up to my father's,
but did not recover from this debauch for several days,
and was in sad disgrace at home on account of it.

My propensity for the frequenting of public places of
entertainment increased monthly, and, if possible., I became
more idle and inattentive in the prosecution of my school
duties than ever. This my father easily discovered from
my inability to answer the questions he put to me on tho
subject of the authors I ought to have been reading. Upon
finding me altogether ignorant of what I should have been
perfect in, he remonstrated, upbraided, coaxed, threatened,
in short did everything that a fond parent could, to induce
more attention to what, as he truly observed, was intended
solely for my own advantage, and although I felt the force
of his remarks, it was all in vain. He then stopped my
weekly allowance, hoping that might have some effect,
instead of which it only set my wits to work in what
manner to raise cash. At last my idleness, dissipation,
and neglect of the school exercises drew upon me the cen-
sure of Dr. Markham, who finding his repeated lectures
and repeated floggings equally unavailing, told my father,
whose intentions relative to me he was well acquainted
with, that it was in vain to think of making me a classical
scholar, and that he had better adopt some other line
than that of a learned one. Whatever cause I may have
to regret this determined inattention and idleness, whereby
the plan suggested by my fond and indulgent parent was
entirely frustrated, clearly I have been the author of my
own misfortune, and can blame no other than myself.
My father, upon Dr. Markham's representation, reluctantly
abandoned all hopes of seeing me shine as a lawyer, and at
the end of the year 1763 I was therefore taken from West-
minster School, most deservedly in high disgrace.

Shortly before my leaving school a melancholy accident
happened, which made a strong impression upon all our young
minds, and which from its being attended with uncommonly

A FATAL FIRE 37

affecting circumstances, interested all London, and indeed
the whole Kingdom. Lady Molesworth, the relict of Lord
Molesworth, a Field Marshal in His Majesty's service, was
a most accomplished and elegant woman, beautiful in person,
and of the most enchanting manners. She devoted her
whole time to the bringing up a lovely and numerous
progeny of children who adored her, when one disastrous
iiight put an end to her happiness and life. In the month
of May a fatal fire broke out at her house in Upper Brook
Street, at four o'clock in the morning, supposed to have
happened from Captain Molesworth, a brother of her
Ladyship's, reading in bed, when falling asleep the curtain
took fire from the candle. Lady Molesworth was in bed
at the time with her eldest daughter, then a lovely girl about
sixteen years of age, when suddenly awaking from a pro-
found sleep, she eagerly exclaimed, " Henrietta, what is the
matter ? I hear a noise, and feel as if almost suffocated by
smoke ; I am sadly afraid the house is on fire." Miss
Molesworth thereupon leaped out of bed and ran to the
chamber door, which she attempted to open, but the lock
was so hot it burnt her hand. Finding herself nearly stifled
she crossed the room and threw up the sash of the window,
which caused such a draught that the flames instantly
burst through the door enveloping the whole chamber in
one blaze. The poor girl, in agony and despair, directly
threw herself out of the window, which was towards the
street, up two pair of stairs, unhappily falling upon the
pointed spikes of the iron railing, whereby both thighs and
one leg were dreadfully fractured. In this miserable state
she was conveyed into the next house, where Lady Gros-
venor resided, having been lifted off the rails by Lord
Grosvenor, who resided in another street, but having heard
the fire was near his mother's house had immediately gone
to render any assistance in his power and to see the object
of his ardent love in a situation dreadful beyond parallel.
Lady Molesworth perished just as her daughter took the
fatal jump, a ring she constantly wore, some of her bones,
and part of the bed being afterwards dug out of the ruins.

38 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

Wliilst they were, with all possible tenderness and anxiety,
conveying Miss Molesworth to a bed chamber, she recovered
her senses, and fixing her languid eyes upon Lord Grosvenor,
she in a tone so piteous as to draw tears from all present,
asked, " Are you, sir, my uncle ? " to which he, in the
deepest distress, answered, " No, my poor dear sufferer,
I am your friend, Lord Grosvenor." To this she faintly
replied, " Pray then take care of me," and instantly re-
lapsed into a state of utter insensibility.

The most eminent surgeons being summoned were of
opinion from the nature of the fracture of the leg, nc
possibility or chance of saving her life remained but by
amputating the limb above the broken thigh, which oper-
ation was forthwith performed, and without her knowing
anything of the matter. When she once more came to
herself, it was deemed prudent not to inform her of what
had occurred, lest grief at being thus mutilated might
prevent her having that repose indispensably requisite to
her recovery. In this ignorance she remained nearly two
months, the other broken thigh going on very well, and
the many horrid bruises she had in different parts of her
body being got the better of. During those two months
she often complained of violent spasms and shooting in
both legs and feet, a deception easily accounted for.
Sensation arising from the nerves, the extremities of
which had been in the foot upon amputation of the limb,
rose to the remaining part, and the mind accustomed to
refer pain to the nerves affected, ignoraoat of any part
having been taken away, continued to imagine it proceeded
from the foot, to promote which belief a case and bandages
had been fixed to the stump of the thigh that she might
not discover her loss.

A female relation to whom Miss Molesworth was greatly
attached had constantly attended her since the accident.
This lady being requested to communicate the sad loss the
patient had sustained, was more than fifteen days devising
different plans for giving the information when she ' at
length began to prepare her as if to undergo an operation,

A LOVER'S LOSS 39

in this way leading her to apprehend amputation might
become necessary. After hinting at this repeatedly, the
unfortunate girl exclaimed, " Oh, why did they not do it
whilst I lay insensible ! What a blessing would it have
been for me, and how happy I should now have felt."
The friend took that moment to tell her it was already
taken off. Whereupon she turned extremely pale, con-
tinued silent for a few seconds and then eagerly said,
" Thank God, for such an exposure of my person at this
time would I am convinced have killed me."

Lord Grosvenor, during her residence at Ms mother's
house, omitted no attention that he thought would con-
tribute to sooth her mind, passing several hours daily in her
chamber with his mother and attendants, and as soon as
she was able to bear it, making little parties of music for
her entertainment, but the dreadful accident entirely put
an end to all thoughts of matrimony.

Lady Molesworth had one son, a boy about twelve or
thirteen, and then at Westminster. He had been sent
for home to celebrate some family festival, and was to
have remained in Brook Street for a week, but the
evening preceding the fire, the little Lord committed
some oSence that occasioned his being directly sent ofi
to school in disgrace, by which most probably his life was
preserved. Two children of eight and nine years old
were burnt in their beds without a possibility of afford-
ing them the least assistance. Two other daughters had
just time to get out of their sleeping room when finding
the staircase and lower apartments in one dreadful blaze,
they, with their governess, ascended to the top of the
house. The crowd in the street, seeing the extreme danger
the three unfortunate persons were in, spread feather beds
and mattresses upon the pavement calling out to throw
themselves down. The governess did so, but falling upon
the stones was shockingly mangled. The eldest of the
girls, terrified at the tremendous height, said to her sister,
* c Though I see by staying here we must be burnt I have not
courage to jump down ; do pray push me off and then follow

40 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

yourself/' The youngest did as desired, pushed her sister
off, instantly following herself. Providentially they alighted
on 'the things spread to receive them, and were both miracu-
lously preserved.

By this dire calamity, eleven persons lost their lives,
The grief of the surviving daughters for their unfortunate
and much loved mother, their sisters, uncle, and domes-
tics who fell sacrifices to the all devouring flames, is
not to be described. Yet grievous as was their mis-
fortune, specially that of the eldest daughter, evils ac-
cumulated. Several years after the fatal fire, a young
nobleman as wealthy as amiable became enamoured of
Miss Molesworth, who resisted his suit for near a twelve-
month, on accouDt of her being a cripple. His perseverance
however prevailed ; she consented to marry him. Settle-
ments were drawn and a day actually appointed for the
ceremony ; only a few hours remained when he was brought
home a lifeless corpse ; his horse having thrown him he
pitched upon his head and was killed on the spot. The
lenient hand of time alone recovered his luckless mistress
from this second irreparable disaster. The youngest of her
two sisters who threw herself from the top of the house
afterwards married a son of Mr. Ponsonby, the Speaker
of the Irish House of Commons.

Some weeks after my leaving Westminster in manner
above related, my father one day gravely addressed me,
observing that I had then been at home near two months,
during which, notwithstanding former misconduct he had
flattered himself with the daily hope that my spirit would
have induced me to propose some line of life for myself,
and not indolently continue to eat, drink, and sleep away
my time, labouring too, as I must feel I deserved, under his
and my mother's displeasure, but as he had been again
disappointed in his hopes, he would no longer support me
in idleness, (Upon this subject I had long wished to speak
and was only deterred from a consciousness of my ill-
behaviour, and how little I deserved to be believed as to
any assurances I might make, I therefore put it off from

TO SCHOOL AT STREATHAM 41

day to day until my poor father's patience was quite
exhausted). He then asked me whether I would be an
Attorney, there being still time enough left for me, if dili-
gent, to acquire a knowledge of that profession, adding that
he did not approve of having two sons in the same line of
business, but my misconduct had left him without alterna-
tive. I readily consented to become an Attorney, promising
the most indefatigable attention, a promise I certainly
meant to keep. It was thereupon determined thab I should
be instructed in the common acquirements of a gentleman,
for at Westminster nothing is taught but the classics.

My father, anxious to keep me as much as possible out of
temptation made enquiries as to where I might be likely to
receive the best education out of the Capital, and an
academy, then of considerable repute, at Streatham in
Surrey, five miles from London, was fixed upon. It was
kept by a widow lady of great respectability, a Mrs. Keighly,
the Reverend Mr. Jackson, a pious and very learned man,
officiating as Master. I went to Streatham in March
1764, and with the utmost zeal commenced Arithmetic,
Writing, French, Drawing, and Dancing. I also resumed
Latin and Greek, to the whole of which I bestowed un-
remitted attention for five months, when I was taken very
ill with a fever, which soon shewed itself the forerunner of
small pox. It therefore became necessary, on account of
the other boys, to remove me, and my situation being
announced to my father by special messenger, he imme-
diately sent his coach with two trusty servants to convey
me home, and wrapped up in blankets I safely reached
St. Albans Street.

Whether this removal in the height of the fever tended
to increase the malignancy of the disease or not, I cannot
tell, but I had it very severely. Dr. Nugent, an able
physician, father in law of Mr. Edmund Burke, and a
very intimate friend of my family's, attended me with
unremitting kindness. I was equally fortunate in the
apothecary, Mr. Hernon, an eminent practitioner of Suffolk
Street. These two gentlemen at once pronounced the

42 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

to be of a good sort, but that as I should be very full I
should consequently undergo considerable pain and uneasi-
ness. This was completely verified, my face being so swelled
and inflamed that for many days I could not see at all. The
violent itching almost made me frantic, and if I had not
been closely watched day and night, I should probably
have made a dismal figure of myself, and in spite of all the
watching, I was so perpetually clawing at my nose, (always
a prominent feature,) as materially to increase its size.

At the proper stage of the disease my sisters, Ann and
Sarah, were brought into my room for the purpose of receiv-
ing the infection, which they both did, and had it very
favourably. Although naturally good tempered, I was ex-
ceedingly irritable and impatient under my confinement.
Upon recovering, and looking at myself in a glass, I dis-
covered that there was an end of all my beauty, which was,
as I emphatically observed, " for ever gone," and I became
quite as plain as my neighbours. An old servant, named
Mary Jones, who had lived in our family prior to the time
of my birth, endeavoured to console me by saying I still
had a pair of bewitching eyes, which thereafter would make
many a poor girl's heart ache.

As I have already stated, Dr. Nugent was an intimate
friend of my family's, every one of whom looked upon him
with respect and gratitude as having been the preserver of
my father's life, who a few years after his marriage became
seriously indisposed, lost his spirits, and in a great measure
his appetite, every month becoming weaker and weaker.
The medical gentlemen, long at a loss to give a name to his
disorder, after drenching him in vain with physic pronounced
him to be in a deep decline. He was therefore put upon a
vegetable diet, forbid the use of wine and strong liquors,
and according to the then and still prevailing system, when
the London doctors know not what to do, was, as a forlorn
hope, ordered to Bristol. To the hot wells he accordingly
went, where he was gradually and fast sinking to the grave,
when fortunately for him Dr. Nugent arrived. They had
been at Dublin College together, and there formed a friend-

DR. NUGENT AND HIS PATIENT 43

ship of the warmest nature. This was their first meeting
since leaving the University. The Doctor expressed great
concern at seeing his fellow Collegian in so reduced a state.
He enquired into the particulars of his case and the manner
in which the medical man had treated him. After having
satisfied himself on those points, he said, " Well, Joe, we
must now try what can be done for you here, and I by no
means consider your case a desperate one. I shall come and
dine with you, when we will talk further upon the subject,
so order a nice small sirloin of beef to be roasted, and, I
scarcely need add, a bottle of good claret. 5 ' The order
being obeyed, and dinner served, the friends sat down, my
father having his miserable basin of gruel placed before him,
of which however he scarcely swallowed a spoonful. Dr.
Nugent helped himself liberally to the roast beef, which he
pronounced excellent, and admirably dressed. After eating
some time he asked my father whether the smell of the
victuals oppressed or was disagreeable to him, to which he
was answered,

" By no means, quite the reverse, the savour of the meat
is pleasant to me."

" Why then," continued the Doctor, " perhaps you'd
like to have a slice."

My father, who concluded he was not serious, replied,

"That is not fair, Doctor, to tantalize me when I am
sure I could eat a pound of it."

" Say you so, Joe," said the Doctor, " then by Jove you
shall have a good slice, though not a pound," and he imme-
diately cut him a tolerable sized bit.

My father, in utter astonishment, could hardly believe
his sight or hearing ; he however devoured the beef with
infinite glee.

" And now," said the Doctor, " probably you would like
to wash down the meat with a glass of claret," accom-
panying his speech by -pouring out a couple of bumpers, one
of which my father swallowed with equal surprise and
pleasure. " And how do you feel after that ? " enquired
the Doctor,

44 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

" Quite a new man/ 5 answered the patient, " and ready
for a second edition."

But to that the Doctor gravely said :

" No, no, you have done very well for a beginning, and
must now be content to see me eat and drink, but to-morrow
morning I shall call early, and if I find you as well as I
expect and hope for, you shall at four o'clock not only
repeat the dose, but increase the quantity."

My father, after a better night's rest than he had ex-
perienced for many months, rose wonderfully recruited
in strength and spirits, took two slices of beef and two
bumpers of claret the second day, discarded all his phials
and slops, and from that time to the day of his death, which
did not happen for upwards of fifty years afterwards,
never knew a day's illness.

After the small pox I was sent to Twickenham for change
of air, where I had the use of my father's saddle-horses,
daily riding about the country. In a fortnight being quite
recovered, I returned to town stronger and better than ever.
Whilst at Twickenham upon this occasion John Macnaghten,
Esq., an old friend of my father's, came over from Ireland,
and paid him a visit of several days. He was one of the
handsomest men I ever beheld, notwithstanding which
there was a peculiar fierceness in his manner that astonished
those not intimately acquainted with him, and my mother,
who was one of the mildest and gentlest women that ever
breathed, could not bear the sight of him, at which my
father always expressed his surprise, declaring Mr. Mac-
naghten was one of the most elegant and accomplished
gentlemen of the age. My mother readily admitted all his
merits, that in person he was an Adonis, and she made no
doubt accomplished in the highest degree, yet still she said
there was a something about him she could not account
for or describe, that she never looked at him without terror,
and never felt easy in his presence,

It is a singular circumstance that shortly after his visit
at Twickenham he returned to Ireland, where becoming
enaraeured of a Miss Knox, a fine young woman with

A VIOLENT WOOER 45

a large fortune, he proposed marriage, which it was
supposed she had no objection to, but her uncle, who
had brought her up, and under whose care she was,
refused his consent, on account of the immorality of Mr.
Macnaghten's private character. After various ineffectual
attempts to soften the old gentleman, he laid a plan for
forcibly carrying off the lady, and attacked the carriage
she was in going with her uncle to his country house.
Mr. Knox, suspecting what might happen, had armed his
servants, one of whom upon Mr. Macnaghten's attacking
the coach, discharged a blunderbuss at him, which, though
it did not take effect, so exasperated him that he drew
from the holsters a pistol, and instantly fired into the
carriage at Mr. Knox, but instead of killing him the ball
went through the heart of his beloved girl, killing her on
the spot. Frantic at the mistake, he expressed his misery
in the most moving language. He made no attempt to
escape, which he might have done with ease, being a uni-
versal favourite with the peasantry. Being brought to
trial he was found guilty, condemned, and executed,
shewing during the last sad scene the same impatience and
violence of temper as had prevailed through his life, and
brought him to a disgraceful and untimely end. He would
not wait for the executioner's turning the ladder, but the
moment he ascended jumped off with so much force as to
break the rope. The jerk stunned him and he remained
several minutes ere he could again mount the ladder. He
however at last did so, jumped off in the same manner as
before, and was thus launched into Eternity.

After Mr. Macnaghten's visit, the family of Chetwoods,
consisting of father, mother, and three daughters came to
spend some time with us at Twickenham. At the end of
six weeks they were to depart the following morning,
which occasioned much grief and tears from the women.
This melancholy neither Mr, Cane, just arrived from Cam-
bridge for the vacation, nor I, at all approved of, and we
had mutually more inclination to laugh than to cry. The
supper had nearly passed over and very gloomily, when

46 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

seeing a broad grin upon Cane's face, I felt myself in great
danger of bursting into laughter, to prevent which I crammed
my mouth full of peas that were on my plate. Scarcely
however had I done so when the inclination to mirth be*
came irresistible ; away flew the peas in all directions^
and not one of the party at table but partook of my dis-
tribution. The effect was ridiculous beyond imagination,
and completely put an end to weeping for the rest of the
night.

CHAPTER V

SCHOOL DAYS AT STREATHAM

TN January, 1765, 1 returned to Streatham, when my con-
JL duct became very different from what it had before been.
No longer diligent or attentive, I, on the contrary, neglected
every duty, except drawing, because of that I was very fond.
My chief business was running after the maid servants, par-
ticularly one named Nancy Dye, a fine little jade. She fre-
quently visited me at night, for as one of the privileges of a
parlour boarder I had a small bed chamber to myself, to
get to which However, I was obliged to pass through a room
where seven or eight of the boys slept, amongst whom was
one named Blackall, of nearly the same age as I was, and
having the same amorous propensities, but being a sulky,
ill tempered fellow he was equally disliked by the scholars
and servants. This lad discovered my amour by happening
to be awake two or three times when she passed by his bed.
Having clearly ascertained that I was the object of these
nocturnal visitations, he without saying a syllable to me of
his discovery proposed himself to become a partaker, which
Nancy very contemptuously rejected, nor would she ever
submit to the most trifling familiarity from him. This
hauteur of the cherry cheeked dairy maid raised BlaekalTs
indignation, and he threatened if she persisted in refusing
to him what she had so freely granted to me, he would
inform Mrs. Keighly of her behaviour* Of this threat
Nancy informed me, whereupon I remonstrated with Black-
all, but instead of attending thereto he was insolent, and I
gave him a sound drubbing, which had he possessed a grain
of spirit could not have happened, he being in form and
strength much superior to me. Upon receiving this chastise-
ment, he ran blubbering away to Mr, Jackson to make his
complaint, and state the circumstance of the girl's nightly

47

48 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

visits to me, which, being of course communicated to Mrs.
Keighly, a terrible uproar ensued. I was threatened with
expulsion, about which I was wholly indifferent, but I was
greatly distressed at the evils that might arise to the partner
of my guilt, who after being grossly abused and called by
all sorts of opprobrious names, was ordered instantly to
leave the house, whereupon I ventured, notwithstanding
I was in such high disgrace, to plead for her, attaching to
myself the additional crime of seduction, but Nancy on
hearing this, with great spirit assured her mistress it was
no such thing, nor was there any seduction in the case, and
turning to me desired that I would not make myself unhappy
on her account, and that as to being turned away, the
place was no such catch and thank her stars she could get
a better any day in the week. " Indeed/' added she, " I fully
intended leaving it at the end of the month, for I am going
to be married." (I had soon afterwards the pleasure to
hear that she did marry a confidential servant of Sir Charles
Blount's, who lived in the neighbourhood, and that she
was very happy.)

I was severely lectured on all quarters for my libertin-
ism at so early an age, and my future misery and ruin
predicted should I continue the same bad courses. Every
individual of the family frowned upon me, except a
daughter of Mrs. Keighly's, an elegant young woman of
about two and twenty, who, in spite of the grievous offence
I had committed, spoke to me at meals as usual and fre-
quently looked at me, as if she did not like me the worse for
my gallantry.

I had made acquaintance at Streatham with Mr. Rose
Puller, a Banker, and man of large fortune, who had a
handsome house near the Academy, where he lived in a
splendid style. This gentleman became very partial to me,
And generally once a week, at least, sent a servant to Mr.
Jackson to request I might be permitted to spend the day
with him, which, from his rank in life, and respectability
of character never was refused. He was a widower, with
one son just of age. To Mr. Fuller, upon his questioning

A SCHOOLBOY ESCAPADE 49

me on the subject of pocket money, I did not hesitate to say
that what my father allowed me was very inadequate to
my wants, upon which representation he furnished me with
a supply, and desired whenever I had occasion for a little
cash that I would consider him as my Banker, a liberal
permission that I did not presume upon, nor ever availed
myself of, but upon real emergency. In this manner passed
away the summer of 1765.

Towards Autumn, two fine West India lads, named
Harrison and Lewis, who were wards of Mr. Fuller, came
from Eton school to pass some weeks with him previous to
embarking on their return to their parents in Jamaica.
They had therefore as great a range in point of amusements
as they chose, and an abundant supply of cash. These young
men, who were my seniors by eighteen months, were my
constant companions, and as they knew the state of my
finances one or other of them always insisted upon paying
during the frequent excursions we made either on horse
back or in post-chaises. In one of our trips of the first
kind, i.e. on horse back, we rode across the country, and
through Bichinond park, when dashing down the hill
towards the town as hard as we could pelt, who should
arrest my progress but my brother Joseph, who called
out to me, and upon my stopping enquired where the deuce
I came from, and whither bound in such haste ; to which I
replied that we were only taking a ride, but that I could not
stay longer lest I should lose my companions, and caution-
ing him not to betray me at Twickenham, I galloped after
my young friends.

In December of the same year (1765) we three went,
as we had often done before, to London, where I had
introduced them to two females. We were preparing to
return to Streatham when one of the girls said there
was to be a new play performed that night at Covent
Garden, and proposed our going to it. Though at all
times prone to mischief, the boldness of such a proposal
nevertheless staggered me, and I strongly objected, but
I was laughed at for my prudence, my objection over-

50 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

ruled, and to the theatre we proceeded. The perform-
ance being finished, the ladies suggested the propriety of
a little supper, to which Harrison entered his caveat,
whereupon I observed, " ' In for a penny in for a pound/
we shall be no worse off by arriving at three o'clock
than at one." My logic prevailing, we went to the Shake-
spear, and after eating heartily, qualifying the victuals
with a sufficient quantity of punch, we took a hackney
coach to Westminster Bridge, where we mounted our nags
and rode off for Streatham, which we reached a quarter
before three, and found the whole village in an uproar.
The person to whom the horses belonged, told us that
Mr. Fuller, Senior and Junior, also Mr. Jackson and Hodgson
(the head usher) had been there several times, and made
such minute enquiries he had been obliged to declare the
truth, that we were gone to London, at which they all
appeared greatly shocked.

My friends then took leave a-nd I gently rung the gate
bell, and being let in, was received by an old maiden sifter
of Mrs. Keighly, who said they had been under the
greatest terror about me, that her sister and Mr. Jack-
son had only just retired to their chambers, the latter
from extreme agitation, very ill. Whilst stating these
facts, Mrs. Keighly made her appearance, assuring me
I should the following morning be conducted to St. Albans
Street, for that she would not have the character of her
Academy injured, if not entirely ruined, by such a
profligate boy as I was. With this denunciation I was
dismissed, and went to my room. Agitation at the
serious scrape I had involved myself in prevented sleep,
a severe headache came on, and before the customary
hour of rising I was seized with so violent a vomiting, with
considerable fever, as to be thought actually dying. The
apothecary being summoned pronounced me alarmingly
ill, and that I must be kept as quiet as possible. I remained
the whole day in bed ; at night the fever increased with a
delirium, in consequence of which Mrs. Keighly determined
to send to my father to let him know the state I was in.

A PENITENT INVALID 51

but on the second morning the medical man pronounced me
better, and it was therefore deemed unnecessary to alarm my
family.

I kept my room a week, and was wonderfully pulled
down by the severity of the attack. The first day I
appeared in the parlour I had a very serious lecture from
Mr. Jackson, who said he should recommend my father to
send me to sea in order to preserve me from absolute
destruction : that as the school was to break up in a few
days for the Christmas holidays, I might remain until then,
but return I never should. I was informed that during my
confinement Mr. Puller had daily sent to enquire after me,
but that he was so deeply offended at my bad behaviour
as to have resolved never more to see or speak to me, and
I was peremptorily forbid going to the house. I neverthe-
less did call, and was told by a servant his master was out,
though I was certain I had seen him at the window. This
made me very miserable.

On my return to school I sat down and addressed a
supplicatory letter to Mr. Puller, in which I did not
attempt to palliate but freely admitted the enormity
of my offence, for which I most earnestly solicited his
forgiveness, and that as a few days would take me for
ever from Streatham, I besought him not to let me leave
the place under his displeasure. My misery was much
increased at not getting any answer to this letter, for
independent of my personal attachment to Mr. Fuller,
which was ardent and sincere, I had naturally a mild temper
and tender nature, and at no period of my life ever deliber-
ately caused even a momentary pang to those I loved, or
indeed to any human creature. In the present instance I
was conscious I had justly irritated a benevolent and kind
friend for which I felt equally ashamed and sorry, and ix
consequence made to myself a thousand good resolutions.

The day after I had written and sent my letter to Mr, Ful-
ler, I saw him in the parlour in conversation with Mrs. Keighly
and Mr. Jackson. Upon his going away Mr. Jackson sent
for me and desired I would immediately go to Mr. Fuller's,

52 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

whose anger was in no way abated, but he wished to tell
me so in person that I might not again trouble him with
any letters. Dejected and oppressed in spirit I went, but
on the way a false and mistaken pride, which involuntarily
came across my mind, made me determine, as pleading
guilty had produced no mercy, not to betray any further
symptoms of contrition. Upon my arrival at Mr. Fuller's,
I was conducted into his study, where I found him with as
stern a countenance as his naturally mild features could
assume, and he coldly pointed to a chair. This reception,
so different from what I had been used to, struck to
my heart, already full and overcharged, and in spite of
my determination to the contrary, I burst into a violent
fit of tears, sobbing aloud and bitterly, which instantly
softened the kind old gentleman, who fondly clasping me
to his bosom, kissed and comforted me, assuring me of his
full pardon. From a state bordering on despair, I was thus
raised to the height of joy. He repeated in the kindest
terms Ms affectionate regard for me, avowing that his anger
had been assumed, as both his wards had done me the
justice to declare I had strongly objected to going to the
play, and that the whole scheme was their own. Mr.
Fuller however added that we were all three much to blame ;
and he had in consequence sent the young men to London
earlier than they otherwise would have gone and intended
they should embark on the first ship that sailed for Jamaica.
I then took my leave of this sincere friend, who desired
I would call upon him often in town, but unhappily I saw
him no more, as in less than two months after my last
interview he died suddenly.

In a week after I went home, when my father observed
to Mr. Jackson that I was now arrived at an age that made
it right to establish me in a profession, and therefore I
should not return to Streatham. He then thanked him for
his attention during my stay at Streatham, which he trusted
had not been ill-bestowed. The Keverend gentleman very
kindly and considerately made no complaint, merely saying
lie hoped my future conduct would be such as to merit his

EDMUND BURKE 53

(my father's) approbation. Then shaking me with great
cordiality by the hand, he wished me well and departed ;
and this was the last time I ever saw Mm ; in the following
Spring he was during the night seized with a fit of apoplexy,
and in the morning was found a corpse.

About this period Mr. Edmund Burke, so justly cele-
brated not only as a literary man but as a politician, came
forward into public life. The circumstances which brought
him into notice were these. Mr. Burke's family consisted
of himself, Mrs. Burke, one son, named Richard, a brother,
(also named Richard,) Dr. Nugent of whom I have already
spoken, and who was Mrs. Burke's father, and Mr. William
Burke, of whom I have likewise already spoken, and who,
though in no way related to Mr. Edmund Burke had from
early infancy lived in habits of the strictest friendship and
unceasing attachment. Earl Verney, at that time a man of
immense fortune and great parliamentary interest, being
the professed friend of Mr. William Burke, he offered, as
the time of a General Election was approaching, to return
him for one of his Boroughs, an offer Mr. William Burke
accepted, but in a few days after having done so, he called
upon his Lordship and requested he would transfer the
favour intended him to Mr, Edmund Burke, who possessed
the most brilliant and extraordinary talents, and who he
was satisfied would prove an honour to his country, and
do credit to any and every one who patronised him.

Lord Verney observed that he had heard the gentleman
spoken of with much respect, and he should readily comply
with Mr. William Burke's wish. He accordingly did cause
Mr. Edmund Burke to be returned for Wendover, in Buck-
inghamshire, and in a few weeks after brought in Mr.
William Burke also for another of his Boroughs, the latter
gentleman then being under Secretary of State to General
Conway.

Mr. Edmund Burke had been but a short time in the
House of Commons when he rose to speak in an important
debate, upon which occasion he displayed such tr xnscendent
abilities, such profound learning and such force of eloquence

54 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

as to astonish his hearers, and drew from the great Mr.
Pitt a most elegant compliment. This eminent orator
rising after Mr. Burke, to speak to the same question,
amongst other flattering things said, " the young member
who had just sat down had given him more information
then he ever had received from any individual in that
house."

^Mr/Burke, early in his Parliamentary .career, connected
himself with the Marquis of Buckingham and his party,
to which he continued unalterably attached through life/

I have stated the foregoing facts because many persons
have supposed and even asserted that it was Mr. Edmund
Burke who brought his friend William into public life.
Many have also thought that they were brothers.

CHAPTER VI

IN TRAINING FOK THE LAW

A MOST important change in my life was now about to
occur ; from a mere schoolboy I was to become in a
great measure my own master, at least for some hours in the
day, and, unfortunately for myself, I was more forward and
manly than youths of my age usually were. Of this my
father was perfectly aware, and in consequence somewhat
alarmed. He knew how volatile I was, and my tendency
to dissipation and conviviality. He therefore upon my
coming home addressed me very gravely, slightly touched
upon former errors, and observed that I must now have done
with all such follies ; that I was arrived at an age when
boyish tricks no longer became me, and I ought to begin
not only to think but to act like a man endued at least
with common understanding ; that I must turn to, heart
and hand, to improve myself, which could only be accom-
plished by intense application to my studies ; that a good
inclination was all that was necessary, for being (as he was
pleased to say,) blessed by nature with no ordinary talents,
I had it in my power to do anything I pleased. This paternal
anxiety and excellent advice I duly felt, and determined
to follow, in every respect, with diligence and propriety,
which I was conscious must be for my own benefit and ad-
vantage. How long I adhered to these good resolutions
will soon appear.

In the year 1765 my father had taken my brother
Joseph (then admitted an Attorney) into partnership, also
Mr, Nathaniel Bayley, who had practised several years,
and was considered an uncommonly clever Solicitor. This
gentleman had inherited, and run through a fortune of
twenty-five thousand pounds in less than ten years, pur-
suing for that period, with avidity, all the follies of the times,

55

56 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

thereby sacrificing both his property and his health, bringing
on a premature old age. This brought him to his recollec-
tion. With the wreck of his fortune he quitted his debauched
companions, went to reside in Chambers, and attended as
closely as his health would permit to the law, for which
profession he had originally been intended, and at the time
of his connecting himself with my father he was in every
respect regularity itself.

To this Mr. Bayley, in the month of January 1766, 1 was
articled as a Clerk, for five years, my father conceiving he,
as a stranger, would have more control over me than him-
self. As an encouragement to me to be diligent and atten-
tive, I had an allowance of half a guinea a week for pocket
money, also a guinea on the first day of each term, besides
which I was told that I should frequently receive presents
of from two to five guineas, upon attending the execution,
and becoming a witness to deeds of various descriptions
drawn in the office. All this I thought augured well and I
was much pleased at the prospect before me. I was further
gratified by having my hair tied, turned over my forehead,
powdered, pomatumed, and three curls on each side, with
a thick false tail, my operator being Nerot, a fashionable
French hair dresser and peruke maker justly considered
the best in his line, in London. And thus equipped, I came
forth a smart and dashing Clerk to an Attorney.

For eight months my conduct was irreproachable, my
attention to the business such as to gain the highest approba-
tion of my father and of my master, Mr. Bayley. I soon
became a favorite with most of the then leading men at
the Bar. These were, the Attorney General, Mr. Yorke,
and Mr. Willes, Solicitor General, Mr. De Grey, Sir Fletcher
Norton, Mr. Wedderburn, Mr. Dunning, Mr. Maddocks, Mr.
Perryn, and others, who used to compliment me upon my
quickness, and they frequently congratulated my father
and Mr. Bayley upon their having so promising a youth
for a son and Clerk. Amongst those most kind upon all
occasions, it would be ungrateful in me did I not particu-
larize the late Lord Thurlow, who was my fast friend. He

LORD THURLOW 57

however, notwithstanding his favourable opinion of me,
used sometimes to express his doubts whether I was calcu-
lated to make an Attorney, having from his observation
upon my habits and manner conceived that I never should
bring myself to submit to the dull and irksome drudgery of
that laborious profession, but should be disgusted with it
as soon as the novelty of the employment ceased.

Mr. Thurlow was at that time just rising into eminence
as a lawyer. My father, who considered him as possessing
abilities greatly superior to any of his contemporaries, was
anxious as far as lay in his power, to bring him forward.
Mr. Thurlow, though indefatigable in his attentions to
whatever he once undertook, was by no means a laborious man
in general, especially during the early part of his life, when he
avowed his disinclination to going to his desk, or looking
into a book in an evening. Consequently, he never, except
on particular occasions, was to be found at his Chambers
after five o'clock in the afternoon, and in order to avoid
being interrupted in his hours of recreation by Attorneys
or their Clerks, it was a rule with him never to dine two
following days at the same house, but to use various taverns
and coffee houses (in the neighbourhood of the Temple,
where he lived,) indiscriminately, and wherever he went
the waiters had a general and positive order, if enquired
for, to deny his being there, and this usually succeeded.

A business was transacting in our office, whereon my
father was extremely desirous of consulting Mr. Thurlow.
The matter pressed in point of time, not an hour was to be
lost, and as two of the clerks who were sent in search of him
had failed in their object, my father bid me try what I could
do, and if I succeeded he would give me a guinea. Out I
set, and as I had at the commencement of my clerkship
made friends with most of the head waiters in the tavern?
and coffee houses in Chancery Lane, Fleet Street, and that
part of the town, I felt confident I should obtain the promised
reward, and did so, though after more difficulty than I
expected. After going the usual round in vain, I called
upon the Bar-maid at Nando 'a, with whom I was a favorite.

58 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

and entreated her to tell me where Mr. Thurlow was. At
first she protested she knew not, but by a little coaxing I
got the secret, and proceeded to the Rolls Tavern, where I
had already been, but there happening to be two new
waiters who were of course unacquainted with me, they were
faithful to their orders, and denied his being there. Upon
my second visit I went into the Bar, where addressing the
landlord, I told him I had ascertained Mr. Thurlow was
in the house, and see him I must. The host was inflexible,
and would not peach, but in a few minutes after I entered,
he called out

" Charles, carry up half a dozen of red sealed port into
No. 3."

It instantly struck me that must be the apartment my
man was in, and as the waiter passed with the basket of
wine I pushed by him, ran up to No. 3 3 boldly opened the
door, and there sat Mr. Thurlow and four other gentlemen
at a table with bottles and glasses before them. Upon seeing
me he exclaimed :

" Well, you young rascal, damn your blood, what do you
want ? How the devil did you find me out ? Take away
your papers, for I'll be damned if I look at one of them.
Come, come, you scoundrel, I know what you came for ;
you take after your father and are a damned drunken dog,
so here, drink of this," filling a tumbler of wine which I
had not the smallest objection to, and drank to the health
of the company. " But how did you find me out ? " asked
Mr. Thurlow.

" Why, Sir," answered I, " I heard the master of the
house order six bottles of port for number three, and I was
certain there you must be, so up I ran and entered without
ceremony."

This made a great laugh, putting Mr. Thurlow into high
good humour who swore I was a damned clever fellow, and
should do, and turning to his companions he said

" This is a wicked dog, who does with me as he pleases,
a son of Joe Hickey."

I was thereupon particularly noticed by them all, and

SIR FLETCHER NORTON 59

pulling out my papers Mr. Thurlow looked them over and
immediately wrote a note to my father upon the subject,
which I carried home, thereby gaming not only the promised
guinea, but credit for the manner in which I had effected
the business. (The Bar-maid at Nando's was the cher ami
of Mr. Thurlow, with whom she continued all her life, and
was by many supposed to have been his wife. She bore
him two daughters, both now women and well married,
he having left them large fortunes.)

I had the same sort of influence over Sir Fletcher Norton,
who by nature, was a rough, violent man. He wrote a vile
hand, yet nothing offended him so much as any of it being
referred back to him for explanation, and when such a
circumstance did occur, he was not sparing of abuse to the
messenger, in consequence of which all the Attorney's
Clerks had a great dislike to going near him, but I heeded
him not. He had once answered a case of importance for
my father, relative to a plantation appeal, where the opinion
was so execrably written that neither my father, who could
in general decipher his scrawl, nor any one else could make
it out. I was therefore dispatched to his Chambers in
Lincoln's Inn, where his clerk told me he was so busy he
could not be broken upon. I declared I must and would
see him, but the clerk would not go in to tell him so down
I sat in the outer room, his carriage being at the door to
take him to the House of Commons. In about half an hour
he was passing through in a great hurry when I arrested
his progress, with my Case. He would not touch it,
endeavouring to put me aside, saying,

" My dear boy, I am already too late. It is impossible
for me to stop one moment, I am going to the House, and
then to a consultation. Come to-morrow," and on he pushed
down stairs. I nevertheless stuck close, and to his utter
astonishment followed him into the carriage. At first, he
seemed offended, but soon observed I had done wisely,
adding, " and now, my man, tell me what's your business."

I presented my Case telling him the predicament his
opinion stood in.

60 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

" What/' said lie, " cannot your father read it ? "

"No, Sir."

" Nor Bayley ? "

"No, Sir."

" Nor you, or any one in the office ? "

" No, Sir."

Then looking over it himself he exclaimed :

" By God, nor I either. I must answer it again ; come
to me at nine this evening."

Taking out a pencil and bit of paper I made him write
" admit."

" And pray what is that for ? " asked he.

" Oh Sir," replied I, " my going to your Chambers would
otherwise avail nothing, I should not be admitted."

" Well thought of, my man," said he.

By nine I was at Lincoln's Inn, the Clerk peremptorily
refusing me admittance, and even after producing the
written word, he made many objections. At last I pre-
vailed and got in, and at half-past eleven marched off
with my Opinion in legible characters. Sir Fletcher besides
writing so execrably was sadly dilatory in business, and had
a particular dislike to answering Cases, so that it was
extremely difficult to get one from him.

There was at this period an old Irish woman, named
Judy White, daily at our office, having come to England
on behalf of a near female relation who was involved in an
Equity suit, and for whom Mrs. White acted as Agent,
supplying such information as my father, who was her
Solicitor, called for. She had formerly been considered
the handsomest girl in Dublin, where she was long the
reigning toast with the men. The remains of beauty, though
she was now upwards of sixty, were still very visible.
Prolixity was one of her grand foibles, and at times worried
my father, (not the most patient of men,) exceedingly.
When more than ordinarily out of humour he would let
fly a volley of oaths, swearing he neither could nor would
waste his time by listening to the damned infernal nonsense
of such chattering stupid old gossips and bidding her get

HIS FATHER'S TEMPER 61

out of his office. These ebullitions of passion sadly annoyed
Mrs. White, who used to come into the Clerks' office and
declare that Mr. Hickey's violence and brutality was such
that he would not allow her to state her relation's case, or
say half that was necessary relative to it. As my father's
warmth was always of short duration, he, upon recollecting
himself, felt sorry at hurting the old lady, and generally
apologized, though not often with effect. A fracas of this
nature had occurred one morning that I was to accompany
her into the City to witness the execution of some deeds.
On our way to Lombard Street, in her carriage, she suddenly
exclaimed :

" What an abominable brute that man is, sir, he is an
absolute devil in human shape." (The old lady imagined
me to be a common articled clerk, no way related,) As I
seemed rather to agree in opinion with her, she continued
abusing him vehemently. At length, she asked, "Pray,
young gentleman, is the wretch married ? ' J
" Yes, ma'am."
" No child, I sincerely hope."
" Yes, Ma'am, several."

" God Almighty help them," said she, " how can they
exist with such a horrid monster."

" Oh Ma'am," replied I, " he is only a little passionate,
which those used to it do not mind, and it is soon over."

" Soon over indeed," retorted she, " the devil confound
him, he frightens me out of my wits."

With this conversation we arrived at the place of destina-
tion, where after Mrs. White had executed the deeds, I
signed my name as a witness, whereupon she with a great
brogue, screeched out :

" Oh holy Jesus, and so, you little imp, I have been
abusing your father to you all the way. Why did you not
stop me by letting me know you was one of the race."
Observing me grin, she continued, "Aye, aye, I see you
are a true Hickey all devils alike."

Upon our return to St. Albans Street, she said to my
father :

62 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

" Faith, and troth but I have made a pretty mistake
here, in giving a very free opinion of you to your own flesh
and blood, and that saucy whipper snapper monkey, let
me go on deeper and deeper. However, I don't care, I said
nothing but the truth, and what I still think."

My father laughed heartily, and enjoyed the old lady's
anxiety. Soon after this she became so habituated to his
manner that it ceased to terrify her, and when he flew into
a rage, she, with the utmost composure said :

" Be quiet Hickey, none of your abominable cursing and
swearing. I know you now, and don't value you a fig. I
will have my own way, and say all I have to say, too,"
which conduct completely answered always restoring ray
father instantly to good humour.

Except during term time, or when there was any Cause
of consequence coming on, my father rarely slept in London
during the Summer months. It was customary for my
mother and family to remove to Twickenham shortly
before Easter, and there to remain until the middle of
November, at which season they returned to London, my
father's principal object in receiving Mr. Bayley as a
partner having been to take the burthen of the business
from himself, thereby enabling him to live more at his ease
and amongst his friends.

During the vacations between the terms I usually went
to Twickenham and stayed until Monday morning, often
sculling myself up and down, as I still possessed my little
wherry. Everything went on smoothly until August, 1766,
at which time my father and mother set out for France,
taking the twins Ann and Sarah with them for the
purpose of placing them in a Convent for education.
About the same time my brother Henry returned from
Ireland, accompanied by Tethrington, whom I have already
mentioned. He (Tethrington) did not look more than
seventeen, though he was full four and twenty, and had
already passed some winters in all the profligacy and dis-
sipation of Dublin. There was nothing remarkably attrac-
tive either in his face or person, yet altogether he was

BIRDS OF A FEATHER 68

a smart little man, had the most intelligent and piercing
eyes, sung an admirable song, was proficient at tennis,
fives, billiards and all fashionable games, an uncommonly
elegant dancer, and blest with so strong a head that he
could put the stoutest fellows under the tabls at fair drink-
ing. Besides all these qualifications, he was a prodigious
admirer of the fair sex, and a universal favorite of theirs ;
I have heard many lovely girls declare him irresistible
and assert that he fascinated every female he addressed.
He was a younger son of an Irish gentleman who had a large
family and limited fortune. Like myself, his father had
intended him for the Bar, and like myself, Jack disappointed
his parent's views. Whilst in the College of Dublin he
associated with his superiors, by whom he was led into
an expense he could not afford, which first drove him to
gaming tables, where proving fortunate he obtained frequent
and ample supplies. Such a life was inconsistent with
study, his books were neglected and Coke lay upon his table
unopened. The ultimate consequence may be easily seen ;
he became embarrassed, for good luck could not last for
ever, and being threatened with a gaol, the horrors thereof
induced him to decamp, and he embarked for England in
the same vessel with my brother Henry, with whom he had
previously associated in Dublin.

There is an old English vulgarism, "Birds of, a feather
flock together," which was completely verified in Teth-
rington, and myself, and at our first meeting we became
friends, for several years after which he shewed the utmost
regard for me, and although he no doubt led me into some
extravagancies I might otherwise have avoided, yet he
always gave me excellent advice and never would allow
me to gamble, to which in fact I never had an inclination.
His purse was ever at my service ; when in parties to-
gether, without a shilling in my pocket, as was sometimes
the case, I had only to give him the slightest hint and mj
reckoning was discharged. Moreover, whenever I required
a couple of guineas, or more, I had only to send to his
lodgings and my wants were supplied.

64 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

With my introduction to Tethrington ended all my good
resolutions, and former follies were resumed in an in-
sreased degree ; I had seen him play at billiards in a style
of execution that delighted me and I became so fond
of the game tbat morning, noon and night was I looking
on at the players, and at length took up a cue myself ;
instead of attending to my business, passing my time at
some public table, and this continued for a couple of
years. Let me, however, again observe it was not from
a wish to win money at it, but a real liking for the game ;
nor did I ever lose anything material. The old sharks,
of which there were a certain number that frequented
each house, knew me very well, and the state of my
finances. Aware that if I lost a sum that vexed me, I
should probably cease to play, they conducted themselves
accordingly. At first they challenged me to play simply
for the charge of the table, but after a week or so declared
me wonderfully improved, and proposed sixpence a game,
at which rate they would entertain me as long as I chose,
taking care never to leave off winners of more than half a
crown, that is, five games at one time, and they would often
permit me to be even, or loser of an odd game, although
had they used the superiority they possessed, I should not
have got a single game in a month, yet they always appeared
to wish to make the match even, by giving such odds as
they pretended to deem equal.

These poor devils also taught me to guard against
the various tricks and stratagems practised by sharpers
to deceive and cheat the young and unwary. Having
no other mode of subsistence than what they cursorily
picked up from novices and strangers, I proved a fine
subject for supplying funds for a daily meal, with which
they were satisfied, and so was I. They had some private
agreement amongst themselves respecting a division of
the spoil obtainable from me, trifling as it was, for I
observed that I scarcely ever played two succeeding days
with the same person, though there might be several in the
room. I was a favorite with them in general, and not a

BILLIARDS 65

man but would with the utmost good nature give me
instructions, pointing out when I played for a wrong hole,
and the reason, also telling me when it ought to be my
sole object to leave my own ball safe, notwithstanding there
was an apparent hazard, which my adversary had purposely
placed, as a trap to catch me, knowing the probability was
I should hole myself. Thus, in six months I became in
some measure a proficient, knew the principles of the game
and had tolerable execution with the cue.

The tables I usually frequented were, Windmill Street,
Whitehall, the Admiralty, The Angel, at the back of St.
Clements, and Chancery Lane, at one or other of which I
usually spent at least a couple of hours daily, and some-
times much longer, and I was as well known at all those
places as at any of the public offices about Lincoln's Inn
or the Temple,

CHAPTER VII

BAD HABITS

IN September, my favorite, Nanny Harris, returned from
Ireland, where she had resided for some time, and called
several times in St. Albans Street before I knew any thing
of the matter, as the servants had been cautioned respecting
her. But a new one, who had recently come from Dublin
with my cousin John Edwards, upon my coming home one
evening told me that a smart young lady had the instant
before been enquiring for me, and could not then be many
yards from the door. Having ascertained the way she
went, I pursued, soon overtook, and recognised my early
bed fellow. She appeared greatly rejoiced at the meeting,
telling me she had been in Ireland with a man of large
fortune, with whom she continued until his marriage, when
they separated, he presenting her with a couple of hundred
pounds, with which sum in Bank notes as well as a hand-
some and plentiful wardrobe, she sailed for England, and
had been in London one week, during which she had
every day in person, enquired for me in St. Albans Street,
and twice sent Chair-men with notes for me, but the
servants faithful to the charge they had received from my
mother returned the notes and never told me a word of the
visits. This I afterwards learnt was entirely owing to the
zeal of my friend, Molly Jones, all the other maids being
desirous of telling me, from doing which she dissuaded them,
stating Nancy Harris to be a wicked, artful hussey, whose
object was to ruin me.

" And now my dear Billy," said Nanny, " we are onco
more together let's see who shall part us."

She was highly pleased at hearing my father and mother
were abroad, and conducted me to a very comfortable,
neat and well furnished lodging in Berwick Street, Soho,

66

NANNY HARRIS 67

where I passed the night. Upon going to office the follow-
ing morning, my brother Joseph thought proper to call me
to account for staying out all night, and interrogated as to
where I had been. But not feeling that his having come
into the world a few years sooner than myself gave him any
authority over me, I pertinaciously declined response,
receiving his lecture and admonitions with contemptuous
silence. When he ceased to speak, I in a peremptory tone,
desired his right to question or censure me, and refused to
satisfy what I pronounced his impertinent curiosity. He
then threatened to complain to my master, Mr. Bayley,
which only excited my mirth, for I cared as little for that
gentleman as I did for himself, and for the next three nights
my abode was the first floor in Berwick Street, to which
place my brother having traced me, Mr. Bayley thereupon
called upon my fair companion, whom he successfully
alarmed by assuring her that if she persisted in receiving
me, he would cause her to be committed to hard labour in
Bridewell, which she was liable to for inveigling away and
harbouring an apprentice. Quite in terror, she informed
me, who, though greatly vexed, was as much frightened
as herself at the threat. I instantly went to Mr, Bayley, and
upon his agreeing not to molest her, I faithfully promised
never to stay out another night, or go again to Berwick
Street. The first condition I adhered to for some time at
least, but the latter was quite out of the question and I
made my visits by daylight, when Nancy said she would
save my word as to not going to Berwick Street, by changing
her lodging, which she accordingly did, and took a first
floor in Cecil Street in the Strand, a convenient situation
lor me. being in my road to the Temple.

In November my father and mother returned from Paris,
and as neither Mr. Bayley nor my brother said anything of
my misconduct during their absence, I received from my
father, approbation and congratulations for my good
behaviour, which I felt I was as undeserving of as any
young gentleman within His Majesty's dominions. My
father further said he was sure the utmost confidence might

68 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

now be placed in my future well doing. Conscience certainly
reproached me on receiving these unmerited encomiums
and compliments, and I made in my own mind many fair
promises, every one of which proved transitory as before,
and I yielded to the first temptation that offered.

My brother Joseph had been instructed in every
gentlemanlike qualification, amongst which he was a very
tolerable swordsman, having been taught by Mr, Telligory,
an Italian then in high repute. My father as an encourage-
ment to me to continue in the right line, sent for this person
to attend and give me the requisite number of lessons.
Upon his first visit, my father being in the room, I took up
the foil with my left hand, having always been what is
termed ' left-handed.' My father instantly exclaimed,

" Look at the awkward boy. Change hands, Sir ; surely
you cannot suppose Mr. Telligory will attempt to instruct
a left-handed fellow."

But the Italian directly replied :

" Oh yes, I will, Sir, and recommend you by all means
to let him be so taught, for, as a manly exercise and accom-
plishment, the effect will be precisely the same, and should
he ever be obliged to use his sword in serious attack or
defence of himself, the advantage from his so doing with
the left hand will be great and manifest."

With the left therefore I learnt to fence, in fact, I used
my left hand playing at all games, cricket, billiards,
tennis, &c,

My father had all his life been a remarkably early riser,
I, on the contrary, was a sluggard, and if allowed to pursue
my own inclination, never left my bed before nine o'clock.
It was therefore much against the grain that I was now
compelled to rise every morning by five, sometimes earlier,
my father calling me himself, and directing m<3 to go to my
books, using every argument in his power to persuade me
to read hard. Over and over again would he say : " Now
is your time, my dear William, for studying to advantage ;
read hard, read day and night. Until you are forty it wiE
all prove beneficial, and you will retain it, but after that

FENCING LESSONS 60

age reading becomes a mere amusement for the time, as the
memory then begins to flag." For two or three months I
did obey my father's injunctions, and read a good deal,
doubtless with considerable advantage to myself. Had I
through life continued the same course I should at this day
have been a very different sort of creature to what I am.

From the end of the year 1766, 1 was in a great measure
deprived of my respected monitor, my father being very
attle in London, and except when he was at my elbow,
urging me to what was correct, I thought of nothing but
dissipation and folly ; my books were entirely neglected,
and I became idleness personified,

In February 1767, my father went to spend a month at
Bath. Previous to leaving town he recommended Mr,
Bayley to make me " the out of door clerk," that is, exe-
cuting all business at the different law offices, issuing writs,
and every other process in the progress of a Cause, delivering
Briefs, and all other documents to Counsel, and paying the
fees, and this he advised as the most effectual mode of
making me master of the practical part of the profession*
My brother, who acted as cashier, was directed to furnish
me with money for those purposes, and kept a book in
which I was ordered to enter all receipts and disbursements.
My father likewise made it his particular request that
either Mr. Bayley or my brother would every Saturday
night examine and check my account, receiving back all
my vouchers. Had they done as desired by my father,
probably much of the subsequent evil that accrued to me
and themselves would have been avoided, but unfortunately
they wholly neglected the use of such precaution, Mr.
Bayley being satisfied by once in three or four months
looking at the totals and finding the Debtor and Creditor
sides corresponded, made no further scrutiny or examina-
tion of the items. My error commenced in not keeping my
pocket money distinct and separate from that belonging
to the office. The consequence of not doing so was that I
had unconsciously trespassed upon the latter before I was
aware, and at the first discovery thereof was greatly alarmed.

70 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

This proper feeling however soon subsided, and, like all
those once commenced upon bad habits, I became by
regular gradations, first uneasy, next indifferent, and by
continued practice callous. Finding the balance every
week considerably increasing against me, I endeavoured
to counteract it by introducing sums I had never disbursed,
entering others higher than I actually paid. True it is
the old and faithful monitor conscience, frequently reminded
me that such means were as dishonourable as unjustifiable,
and upon discovery, which I knew must in the end take
place, would bring me to disgrace and shame. Still, these
internal upbraidings grew less and less, and I reconciled
myself to making false entries by feeling that the cash
I was thus purloining belonged to my father, and that
plundering him was a different thing entirely to robbing a
stranger.

Lord Northington, then the Chancellor, used frequently
to speak to me when attending at Lincoln's Inn Hall, very
kindly enquiring after my father. His Lordship however
was not one of my friends, the roughness of his temper was
not in my mind at all like that of Mr. Thurlow or Sir Fletcher
Norton, and I was actually afraid of him. This probably
in some measure arose from his constant incivility to a man
I greatly liked, the Honourable Charles Yorke. This
gentleman was remarkable, when Attorney General, for
going late into Court, for which the Lord Chancellor often
said very rude things to him ; one in particular I heard,
and it made a great impression upon me. There being a
Cause of importance fixed for a certain day, Lord Northing-
ton at the rising of the Court said, " I shall on Thursday
morning sit precisely at eight o'clock, and hope Mr. Attorney
General you will be ready. Mr. Yorke, bowing answered,
" Certainly, My Lud." The day arrived and Mr. Yorke,
according to custom, did not make his appearance until near
ten, when he began apologizing for being so late, whereupon
the Chancellor abruptly stopped him in the most ferocious
manner saying, "Don't beg pardon, Mr. Attorney, for I
care not when you come or whether you come at all, but

THE LADY ABBESSES 71

beg your Client's pardon, whose money you have taken and
done him no service for it."

I now became a constant frequenter of the Bedford and
Piazza Coffee houses, but my chief place for eating was
young Slaughters, in St. Martin's Lane, where I supped every
night with a set of extravagant young men of my own stamp.
After some time we were displeased with the noise, and the
promiscuous company that frequented the Coffee room,
chiefly to read the newspapers, especially half a dozen
respectable old men, whom we impertinently pronounced
a set of stupid, formal, ancient prigs, horrid perriwig bores,
every way unfit to herd with such bloods as us. It was
therefore resolved that we should have private rooms, and
we were transferred to the two pairs of stairs front room,
where we established ourselves into a roaring club, supped
at eleven, after which we usually adjourned to Bow Street,
Covent Garden, in which street there were then three most
notorious Bawdy houses, all which we took in rotation.
The first was kept by a woman whose name I have forgotten ;
it was at the corner of a passage that led to the theatre,
the second was at the top of the street in a little corner or
nook, and was kept by an old Irish woman, named Hamilton,
with whom I was upon remarkably good terms of which
she gave me most convincing proof in many times offering
me money, saying, "My dear boy I always have plenty of
loose cash about me and it will do my heart good to fur-
nish your pocket when in want of Hning." Though I
felt the kindness, I never availed myself of the offer, I
believe, to her great surprize. The third brothel was
kept by Mother Cocksedge, for all the Lady Abbesses were
dignified with the respectable title of Mother. In these
days of wonderful propriety and general morality, it will
scarcely be Credited that Mother Cocksedge's house was
actually next, of course under the very nose of that vigilant
and upright magistrate, Sir John Fielding, who, from the
riotous proceedings I have been a witness to at his worthy
neighbour's must have been deaf as well as blind, or at least,
\vell paid for affecting to be so a

72 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

In these houses we usually spent from three "to four
hours, drinking Arrack punch, or, as far as I was con-
cerned pretending to do so, for being a composition I had
an uncommon dislike to, I never did more than put the
bowl to my lips, without swallowing a drop, and romping
and playing all sorts of tricks with the girls. At a late,
or rather early hour in the morning, we separated, retiring
to the private lodgings of some of the girls, there being
only two that resided in the house, or to our homes, as
fancy led, or according to the state of finances.

In the summer we had another club which met at the
Red House in Battersea fields, nearly opposite Ranelagh, a
retired and pretty spot. It was kept by an aged pair
named Burt, having one daughter called Sally, about nine-
teen, and very pretty, with whom I speedily ingratiated
myself. This club consisted of some very respectable
persons, amongst them were Mr. Powell, of the Pay office,
Mr. Jupp, the East India Company's Architect, Mr. White-
head, a gentleman of independent fortune, King, the cele-
brated actor, Major Sturt of the Engineers, and others.
The game we played was an invention of our own and
called field tennis, which afforded noble exercise. The
situation of the house, which was close upon the edge
of the river, and no public carriage road near it on
the land side, rendered it as private as if it had been
exclusively our own. Our regular meetings were two
days in each week, when we assembled at one o'clock,
at two sat down to dinner, consisting of capital stewed
grigs, a dish Mrs. Burt was famous for dressing, a large
joint of roast or boiled meat, with proper vegetables and
a good sized pudding or pie ; our drink consisting of
malt liquors, cyder, port wine, and punch. At four our
sport commenced, continuing until dark ; during the
exercise we refreshed ourselves with draughts of cool
tankard, and other pleasant beverages. The field, which
was of sixteen acres in extent was kept in as high order, and
smooth as a bowling green. When we could no longer see
we returned to the house and drank tea or coffee ; after

THE RED HOUSE CLUB 73

which the Bill was called for and each paying his quota,
the party broke up. I generally remained to pass an agree-
able hour or two with my fair Sally, and fair she literally
was, her hair being the lightest in colour I ever saw. She
was generally distinguished by the wits of the Thames,
with the name of " Silver Tail."

Our Club consisted of twenty, and was always well
attended ; any member who absented himself, no matter
from what cause, on a club day forfeited half a crown,
which was put through a hole made in the lid of a box,
fcept under lock and key, and opened only once a year,
when the amount of forfeits was laid out in an extra din-
ner at the Red House, generally about the 20th of Decem-
ber, and consisting of venison and all sorts of dainties, the
liquors being claret and madeira, purchased for the occasion.
Besides our regular days, some of the members met every
evening during the summer months to have a little field
tennis. It was just a mile from Buckingham gate to the
Chelsea water works, from whence Burt's boat immediately
conveyed us across the water, being rowed by an extra-
ordinary man, who though born deaf and dumb, was the
quickest and most intelligent creature, and could make us
perfectly understand who were already arrived, having a
particular sign by which he distinguished each member.
This person went daily to Clare market, where he would
execute punctually every order, purchasing all that was
wanted as correctly as if he had not been deprived of the
faculties of speech and hearing. At the time I am now
speaking of, he was a stout well looking fellow of about
two or three and twenty, and as we all saw, a laborious and
useful servant.

The annual dinner I have above alluded to, took place
this year (1767) on the 19th of December, on which day I
rowed myself up to the Red House, got abominably drunk, as
did most of the party, and in spite of the remonstrances of
Burt and his wife, backed by Sally too, I, at two o'clock
in the morning staggered to my boat, which I literally
tumbled ink> 3 and, without recollecting one word of the

74 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

matter, obstinately refused to let anyone accompany me,
and pushed off. Whether, intoxicated as I was, it came
into my head every body would be in bed at Koberts's at
Lambeth, where my boat was kept, or not I cannot tell,
or what guided my proceedings, but it seems I ran her
ashore at Milbank, there got out, and endeavoured to
walk home. Unfortunately for me they were then paving
anew the lower parts of Westminster, and I in consequence
encountered various holes, and various heaps of stone and
rubbish, into and over which I tumbled and scrambled
God only knows how, or how I contrived to get so far on my
way as Parliament Street, but a little after seven in the
morning, a party who had supped and afterwards played
whist all night, at a Mr. James's, were just sallying forth
to get into a hackney coach, waiting to convey them to
their respective homes. Mr. Smith, .one of the company,
who was a riding master of His Majesty's, stepping to
the rear of the coach, descried a human figure laying
in the kennel, whereupon he called to his companions,
who, upon examination, found it was poor pilgarlic in
woeful plight. Being thus recognized, though I was utterly
incapable of giving any account of myself, or of even articu-
lating, they lifted me into their coach, Mr. Smith and
another attending to support me, and thus I was conveyed
to my father's and there put to bed, having no more re-
collection of a single circumstance that had occurred for the
preceding twelve hours, than if I had been dead. My boat,
which was known to all the watermen above bridge, was
found at daylight laying aground at Milbank, having only
one scull in her. Upon enquiry, a watchman said he had
observed a young gentleman who appeared very tipsy,
land from her, and seeing how incapable he was of walking,
and that he fell every yard, offered to assist him, which was
violently rejected, and he therefore went to his watch house,
it being near break of day.

I awoke the following day in my own bed, as from a
horrible dream, unable to move hand or foot, being most
miserably bruised ? cut and maimed in every part of my

RESULTS OF A "NIGHT OUT" 75

body. The three first days, my old friend Dr. Nugent,
and Mr. Samuel Hayes, an eminent surgeon, were much
alarmed, telling my father I was in imminent danger, a
strong fever having come on, and from some symptoms
they apprehended serious internal injury. Youth how-
ever, and a naturally good constitution, befriended me.
I got better in a week, and on the tenth day was allowed to
rise for an hour, but more than three weeks elapsed ere I
left my chamber.

At the Bed House I became acquainted with Mr. Symonds,
as worthy and truly honest a man as ever lived. He was
a great politician and patriot, not according to the modem
acceptation of that term, but from sheer principle. He was
a Liveryman of London, in executing the duties of which
station his sole object was the advantage and well doing of
his native land, nor was he ever known to give his aid or
influence to mere party measures, or to censure or find fault
with Ministers, only because they were in office. This truly
respectable gentleman continued to carry on the business
of a wholesale stationer in which he had succeeded his
father, in a large mansion close to the East India house in
Leadenhall Street, serving that Company, the Bank of
England, and other public bodies, and this notwithstanding
he possessed an ample fortune, which fortune shortly after
my acquaintance with him commenced was materially
increased by the death of a relation, who left him an estate
of upwards of two thousand pounds per annum, in conse-
quence of which he took the name of Smith. He had a
noble house upon the border of the river, a little above the
town of Battersea, where he lived in the true style of old
English hospitality in the midst of a happy family con-
sisting of a wife, one son, and one daughter, entertaining
his numerous friends with a warmth and cordiality that
never was exceeded, seldom equalled. After a liberal
quantity of the best port and madeira, which followed an
excellent dinner, himself and guests adjourned to the
billiard table, or Bowling Green, according to weather, or the
season of the year. From either of those amusements they

76 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

want to the drawing room, where tea and coffee being served,
music filled up the space till ten, at which hour supper was
served, and at eleven every body retired to their homes,
or if his guests for the night, to their chambers, where
every comfort awaited them.

And here did I, who in London passed my evenings and
nights in theatres, taverns, and brothels, amidst abandoned
profligates of both sexes, and in every species of folly and
intemperance, at least once in every month, and sometimes
oftener, quietly and soberly, as well as rationally, spend
Saturday and Sunday in the society of this worthy and re-
spectable family ; with the utmost complacency, and actual
satisfaction to myself, complying with all the customary and
decent forms of the house, regularly attending the whole
family on Sunday, both morning and evening, (of such
force is example, whether good or bad,) to the meeting
house, their place of worship, Mr. Smith being a Dissenter,
and rigid observer of all the forms adopted by that sect.
On the Sabbath therefore we never had the billiard room
opened, nor any amusement except admirable sacred music.

Mr. Smith was very fond of sailing, and had a fast
going little vessel, built from a Dutch model, in which I
took many a cruise with him, he constantly standing at
the helm, with a pipe in his mouth, being a great smoker.
My father, who was by this time but too well acquainted
with my vicious habits, would not give me credit for passing
two days a week in so respectable a family, and so sedate
a manner as I have described, and upon my often assuring
him on my honour that I had been there, and no where else,
would feelingly exclaim how depraved and lost to all sense
of shame I must be to pledge so solemn an affirmation to
what I must be conscious was utterly false. Really mortified
at this doubt of my veracity, though certainly I had given
too much reason to bring it into question, I pettishly
answered :

" If, Sir, no reliance is to be placed on my word why do
you not call at Mr. Smith's and ascertain the truth or false-
hood of what I say ? "

MR. SMITH'S TESTIMONIAL 7T

"And so perhaps I may, and sooner than yon will
like," replied my father.

Shortly after this had passed, I was surprized at a sudden
alteration in my father's manner towards me. From an
angry and offended countenance, with the coldest behaviour
at all times when we met, he resumed his natural character
respecting me by becoming kind and affectionate as ever,
and every thing I said or did seemed to please him. For
this change I could in no way account, knowing that I had
done nothing to entitle me to it. Upon my mother's
coming to town for a day on some business, I asked her if
she knew what had occasioned this favourable change as to
me, when she told me that he had a few mornings before
rode over to Mr. Smith's, where upon enquiry he found that
I had said what was true ; that Mr. Smith spoke of me in
the most affectionate language, and terms of the highest
panegyric, saying that so far from my betraying any
symptoms of profligacy or immorality during the many
times I had been his guest, I shewed myself the most
correct and best principled young man he ever knew ;
that my lively and cheerful disposition deservedly made
me a favourite with every one acquainted with me, so
much so that not only himself, but every individual of
his family felt gratified when they saw me enter the house.
A eulogium so unexpected and so flattering to me had
delighted my poor father.

The same morning on which I received this information
my father learnt from my mother that it had been so
communicated. He then sent for me to his office, when
putting five guineas into my hand, he burst into tears
tears that cut me to the soul, and drew from my eyes a
gush of exquisite anguish. After a silence of some minutes,
he pressed me close, kissed my cheek, and adding, " Perse-
vere, my dearest boy, in the right line and you will be an
honour to yourself and me," dismissed me. I can safely
aver that these five guineas were the only ones I in my lif e
ever received without feeling a particle of satisfaction or
pleasure in the possession of them, but such is the fact.

78 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM MICKEY

The same silent but powerful monitor that had often before
spoke within, again told me how very undeserving I was of
my father's affectionate attentions, and that the same was
bestowed upon a reprobate and an ingrate. The drawing
of tears, though in part tears of satisfaction, from such
a parent hurt me more than I can express. I formed a
thousand good resolutions, but alas, as usual, to end in
nothing.

CHAPTER VIII

LIFE IN LONDON AND A YACHTING EXCURSION

IN January 1768, my father by way of recreation, took
me with him to Bath. Whilst there, we made excur-
sions to the seats of different friends of his who resided at
Bristol, Gloucester, and other places in that part of Eng-
land, and after an absence of five weeks spent in the
pleasantest manner, we returned to London.

In February I accompanied my father to Twickenham,
where he went in order to inspect some alterations and
additions making in the house. A few minutes after our
arrival, the valet of Mr. Nunez, an opulent Jew, who lived
near our house, called to say his master had come from town
that afternoon quite alone, appearing much indisposed,
but would not let any medical person be sent for. He
therefore entreated my father would visit his master, and
endeavour to learn what was the matter. We accordingly
went directly, and found him in a most dejected state.
He at first attempted to rally, declaring he had nothing
more than a slight head ache, but soon again sunk into
silence and despondency. My father, who knew his pro-
pensity to gamble, thought it probable he might have
recently lost a sum that preyed upon his spirits, and there-
fore put the question, observing that if he had been out of
luck, he had many friends ready and willing to come for-
ward with pecuniary aid, and that he was amongst the
number. Mr. Nunez expressed his grateful sense of such
generosity, but assured him nothing of that kind had
occurred. My father then, though with some difficulty,
prevailed upon him to return and sit with us until bed time.
At supper he eat an egg, and drank several glasses of
Bishop, (that is, red port made hot, having a roasted
orange put into it, with sugar and nutmeg,) which he seemed

79

go MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

to enjoy. At ten o'clock he wished my father, good night.
I accompanied him down stairs, and when at the door he
stopped, put Ms hand in his pocket and taking out three
guineas, presented them to me, saying, " I conclude you have
full as much occasion for money now as when you were
at Westminster." He then shook me eagerly by the hand,
at the same time pressing it strongly, and with considerable
agitation said " Adieu, God bless you, William," and left me.

My father called me between six and seven in the
morning, and I was but just dressed when the same
valet came running, in, panting for breath, and with
horror most strongly depicted in his countenance, ex-
claimed, " Oh sir, my poor master is dead." My father
and myself instantly returned with the servant, and found
Sir. Nunez a shocking spectacle indeed. He had risen before
six, and hastily putting on his clothes, the moment the day
broke he said he would go and walk in the garden, which
was on the opposite side of the road to the house, and
went with a gentle slope to the Thames. His valet, alarmed
at his appearance, and his rising so much earlier than usual
watched him, apprehensive that he would throw himself
into the river, but seeing that after a few turns on the lawn
he went into the Summer house, he hoped all was well.
In less than five minutes afterwards he was terrified at the
report of a pistol, whereupon he flew across the road, rushed
into the Summer house, and there saw his master laying
upon the floor weltering in his blood, and quite dead. He
had put a small pocket pistol into his mouth, and actually
blown off the entire upper part of the skull, blood and
brains being scattered round the room. We found the
fellow pistol to the one discharged fast clenched, in his left
hand, and loaded up to the muzzle.

This was by far the most severe shock I had ever ex-
perienced. I had known Mr. Nunez from my infancy,
was always a pet of his, and he gave me many a guinea
whilst I was at school. At the time of his committing
the rash action he was only thirty years of age, a re-
markably handsome man, and of most engaging manners.

THE SUICIDE OF MR. NUNEZ 81

I never afterwards passed that fatal Summer house, either
by land or water, without a sensation of misery and
regret that I cannot describe. Upon our return to Lon-
don my father learnt that Mr. Nunez had the night
previous to our seeing him at Twickenham, lost near
ten thousand pounds at White's in St. James's Street,
which following close upon other serious losses induced him
to commit suicide. It is singular that he had always spoken
of self murder as a most atrocious crime, and that he con-
sidered it the most dastardly and disgraceful act any person
in the situation of a gentleman could be guilty of.

In consequence of the good resolutions I made upon
receiving the undeserved five guineas from my father, more
than two months had elapsed without my once going to any
of my old haunts, and I had during that period conducted
myself with the utmost propriety and decorum, so that I
began to congratulate myself upon a complete reformation.
My vanity even carried me so far as to suppose I now
possessed fortitude sufficient to resist temptation, and that
I might venture occasionally to visit the Club of Slaughters
without renewing my former vicious habits. Full of this
erroneous idea I, one evening in March, called in at Slaugh-
ters, where some of my quondam associates immediately
gathered round me, with warm congratulations upon my
return to them, protesting that they would have a gala
night to celebrate the restoration of so worthy a member.
Up I went to the Club room, down went the wine and punch,
and away went all my plans of reformation. Society, as
usual, proved my bane, for, although I at first attempted
to flinch, pleading ill health and being forbid spirituous
liquors, I .was only laughed at and ridiculed. In short my
resistance was of no avail ; I yielded, and drank deep as the
rest.

I was informed with vast glee by these wild young men
that during my secession they had discovered two new
houses of infinite merit, with which they were sure I should
be wonderfully pleased, and to both of which they would
introduce me before we parted. At the customary hour,

82 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

being brim full of wine, we sallied forth, went the old Bow
Street rounds, from whence I was led into an absolute hell
upon earth. The first impression on my mind upon entering
those diabolical regions never will be effaced from my
memory. This den was distinguished by the name of
Wetherby's, situate in the narrowest part of Little Russell
Street, Drury Lane. Upon ringing at a door, strongly
secured with knobs of iron, a cut throat looking rascal
opened a small wicket, which was also secured with narrow
iron bars, "who in a hoarse and ferocious voice asked, " Who's
there?" Being answered "Friends," we were cautiously
admitted one at a time, and when the last had entered,
the door was instantly closed and secured, not only by an
immense lock and key, but a massy iron bolt and chain,
I had then never been within the walls of a prison, yet this
struck me like entering one of the most horrible kind.
My companions conducted me into a room where such a
scene was exhibiting that I involuntarily shrunk back with
disgust and dismay, and would have retreated from the
apartment, but that I found my surprize and alarm were so
visible in my countenance as to have attracted the attention
of several persons who came up, and good naturedly enough
encouraged me observing that I was a young hand but
should soon be familiarised and enjoy the fun.

At this time the whole room was in an uproar, men and
women promiscuously mounted upon chairs, tables, and
benches, in order to see a sort of general conflict carried
on upon the floor. Two she devils, for they scarce had a
human appearance, were engaged in a scratching and
boxing match, their faces entirely covered with blood,
bosoms bare, and the clothes nearly torn from their bodies.
For several minutes not a creature interfered between
them, or seemed to care a straw what mischief they might
do each other, and the contest went on with unabated
fury.

In another corner of the same room, an uncommonly
athletic young man of about twenty-five seemed to be the
object of universal attack. No less than three Amazonian

A NIGHT AT WETHERBTS SB

tigresses were pummelling him with all their might, and it
appeared to me that some of the males at times dealt him
blows with their sticks. He however made a capital
defence, not sparing the women a bit more than the men,
but knocking each down as opportunity occurred. As
fresh hands continued pouring in upon him, he must at
last have been miserably beaten, had not two of the
gentlemen who went with me, (both very stout fellows)
offended at the shameful odds used against a single person,
interfered, and after a few knock me down arguments,
succeeded in putting an end to the unequal conflict.

This, to me, unusual riot, had a similar effect to Othello's
sudden and unexpected appearance before his inebriated
officer, Michael Cassio, for it produced an immediate
restoration of my senses, the effect of which was an eager
wish to get away, for which purpose I, in the confusion,
slunk out of the room into the passage, and had just began
fumbling at the street door, hoping to be able to liberate
myself, when the same fierce and brutal cerberus that had
admitted my party coming up, roughly seized me by the
collar exclaiming

" Hulloa, what the devil have you been about here ? "

To which I answered meekly,

"Nothing, but not being well I am desirous of going
home."

" Oh you are, are you. I think you came in not long since,
and with a party. What ! do you want to tip us a bilk ?
Have you paid your reckoning, eh ? No, no, youngster,
no tricks upon travellers. No exit here until you have passed
muster, my chick."

More shocked than ever I was compelled to return to the
infuriate monsters, the ferocious door keeper following me
and addressing one of my companions whom he knew,
said

" So the young 'un there wanted to be off, but I said as
how I knew a trick worth two of that, too much experience
to be taken in by such a sucker, told him not to expect to
catch old birds with chaff, didn't I, young 'un, hey ? "

84 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

In this dreadful hole I was therefore obliged to stay
until my friends chose to depart, and truly rejoiced did I
feel at once more finding myself safe in the street. I ex-
pressed in strong terms my disgust at what I had just
witnessed, declaring my determination never to subject
myself to the like again. This only excited the laughter
of my companions, who, notwithstanding all my remon-
strances and resistance, dragged me with them to another
scene of nocturnal dissoluteness, situate in the same street,
but on the opposite side. This was called "Murphy's,"
where, although there was no actual personal hostilities
going on when we entered, the war of words raged to the
utmost extent, and such outre phrases never before en-
countered my ears, though certainly until that night I had
considered myself a tolerable proficient in blackguardism.
I found that it was the custom at Wetherby's never to
serve any liquor after the clock struck three, so that those
jolly blades whose bottles or bowls were empty when that
hour arrived then adjourned to Murphy's, which at the end
of that year changed its name to "Marjoram's," and here
also the time for serving liquors was limited, the hour
being five in the morning. From this latter nest of pick-
pockets, and lowest description of prostitutes we got away
about half past four, I inwardly wishing every mishap
might attend me if ever I again crossed the threshold of
either of the Russell Street houses during the remainder
of my life.

I continued to frequent the Club at Slaughters, but rigidly
adhered to my resolution not to accompany my friends to
Wetherby's. In the early part of May however, having
dined with my brother Henry, and a party of his convivial
associates, at the Shakespear, some one at a late hour
proposed a visit to Wetherby's, when I instantly entered
my negative. The company, surprized, asked the reason,
and I related what had occurred to me, which excited much
mirth. They however told me that I had been unlucky in
encountering such a riot. Tethrington and my brother
then said they would escort me, and that I should find it a

THE FEROCIOUS MISS BURGESS 85

very different thing. Thus encouraged and being fortified
with an ample dose of claret, I made no further objection,
and was agreeably disappointed. At the sound of Tethring
ton's voice, the door was opened wide. Upon entering the
former place of action all was now perfect peace, where
three or four small parties of both sexes were drinking in
high mirth and good humour. The women jumped up
and ran to us, vociferously enquiring of my brother and
Tethrington what they had been doing with themselves
for an age past, then directing their attention towards me,
they asked, " And who is this nice youth pray ? " Being
informed I was a brother of Henry's, half a dozen of them
assailed me, and I thought would have stifled me with their
endearments. One of them was particularly lavish of her
kindnesses, in whom, to my utter astonishment, I recognised
one of the ferocious combatants of the former night, whose
name I now learnt was Burgess.

Our party adjourned from the public room to a private
one in the rear of the house, where I at once discovered
my brother and Tethrington to be quite at home. Burgess
sung a number of admirable songs, and was very enter-
taining, as was another sad profligate girl, who had justly
acquired the name of Blasted Bet Wilkinson. Burgess
and I became very sociable, and I asked her how it
happened that she could have been a principal in such
a horrid broil as I had witnessed ; to which she replied,
that both herself and her antagonist were exceedingly in-
toxicated, having drank an unusual quantity of spirits,
and in their cups had quarrelled ; that the other battle
royal, of which I was also a spectator arose from the
man (who was a notorious woman's bully) having basely
robbed the two who attacked him, that the rest concerned
were the friends of one party or the other, and acted accord-
ingly. This Miss Burgess lived for several years afterwards
with Dibdin, the actor, who had just at the above period
commenced his theatrical career, in the character of Hodge
in the comic opera of the Maid of the Mill.

After spending a couple of hours with great glee at

86 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

Wetherby's, we all crossed the street to Marjoram's,
which we found well stowed, a large crowd being col-
lected round the famous and popular Ned Shuter, who,
although immoderately drunk, was entertaining the circle
of by-standers, with all sorts of buffoonery and tricka.
Here too, my companions seemed to be as well known
and in as high favour as at Wetherby's, for upon our
approach, an opening was voluntarily made and chairs
placed for us close to the facetious comedian, who for
above an hour, by his drollery kept us in a continued
roar of laughter when he suddenly fell from his seat as if
he had been shot, and I really feared he was dead, until
those better acquainted than myself, observed, if he was,
it was only dead drunk, a finale nightly repeated. ' He
was then lifted up and carried off like a hog to his lodgings,
which were in the neighbourhood, and we departed to our
beds, I being as much pleased with the night's amusement,
as I had on the former been disgusted. The following day
I asked my brother Henry how it happened that I, who
had been above a twelvemonth ranging about the Jelly
shops, and Bawdy houses of Covent Garden, had never
met with Burgess, or any of the women I saw at Wetherby's
and Marjoram's, when he told me the females that frequented
those two houses, scarcely ever went anywhere else unless
it were to the Dog and Duck in St. George's Fields, or to
Bagnige Wells and White Conduit house, near Islington,
at both which places I had been once or twice, but as I
never was partial to those kinds of entertainments, nothing
took me to them but company.

My Battersea friend, Mr. Smith, had now purchased
from a Mr. Clark of Christehurch*, in Hampshire, a beautiful
yacht, about fifty tons burthen, a heavy dull sailer, but
with capital accommodation, having a spacious cabin aft
her whole width with sash windows astern. This was used
as the sitting and eating apartment from thenceforward ;
on each side were three comfortable cabins with fixed bed
places, so that a party of six or eight might be well lodged
on board. Mr. Smith told me he had thoughts of collecting

ON BOARD THE LOVELY MARY 87

a few friends and making an excursion of a week or ten
days, and if I was so inclined and could obtain my father's
permission, he should be happy that I made one. The next
time I visited Battersea, he said, Major Sturt, Mr. Pritzler
and Captain Cecil had arranged the tour, and they proposed
embarking in the Lovely Mary, his yacht's name, the ensuing
Monday. I promised to apply to my father, and having
his leave, to join them at the appointed time. But as I felt
certain my father would object to my absenting myself
for so long a period, when there was much business in the
office, I thought I had better dispense with the application,
and accordingly putting up some linen and other necessaries
in a portmanteau, I privately sent them oS on Saturday,
and on Sunday went myself to Mr. Smith's. After supper,
instead of retiring to our chambers we went on board to
sleep, that we might drop down in the night close to London
Bridge, so as to pass through at high water, and thereby
secure an entire ebb to start with and carry us clear of all
the shipping in the Pool.

We commenced our voyage on the 20th of April, with
charming clear and open weather, having a fine breeze of
wind from the Westward, which in five hours carried us
to Gravesend, at which place we anchored, all hands
going on shore to call upon Mr. Pendock Neale, an inti-
mate friend of Mr. Smith's, and acquainted with all the
party. He held an appointment under the East India
Company, which made it necessary he should reside at
Gravesend. He insisted upon our staying the remainder
of the day with him. At dinner was one of the largest and
finest flavoured turbots I ever tasted. After being most
hospitably entertained, at eleven at night we returned to
our vessel, proceeding downward.

The following day it blew fresh at South West, which
rattled us on at such a rate that by dusk we reached
Margate, landed, and went to Michiner's, where we got
an excellent supper, and then re-embarked. On the 23rd
we left the Pier, steering direct for the Nore, at which
we turned oS by Sheerness, entered the Medway, passing

88 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

Chatham and Rochester, and after a delightful sail up
that romantic and picturesque river, early in the morning
of the 25th arrived at Maidstone, and here we spent five
days very agreeably our head quarters being Mr. Wat-
man's, a great paper manufacturer, who entertained us
in a princely style. His mills and extensive works were a
source of amusement to us several hours in each day,
every one of our party making (awkwardly enough) a
sheet of paper. In the evenings little dances and parties
of the most select kind filled up the time to the hour of
bed, never later than twelve.

Early in the morning of the 30th we once more went
on board the Lovely Mary, leaving the good humoured
and unostentatious hospitality of Maidstone with much
regret. As we approached home I began to feel some
unpleasant doubts respecting the reception I should meet
with. We arrived at Battersea on the 2nd of May, in
the evening, where Mr. Smith found a letter from my
father, written in very severe and reproachful terms re-
specting me. He had learnt from the family at Batter-
sea that I was gone down the river. In this letter he
did Mr. Smith the justice to conclude that I had made
him believe I had my master's permission to be absent,
instead of which consent my father stated the clandestine
manner in which I had felt the house without saying a
word to any one, leaving business of importance which it
was my duty to have attended to, totally neglected. He
concluded by entreating of Mr. Smith never more to
admit me within his doors, for I should only bring dis-
grace upon every one who shewed me kindness, repaying
them with black ingratitude, if not worse, if worse could
be.

This address gave Mr. Smith real concern, and certainly
both vexed and mortified me from tending to lower me in the
opinions of my friends. I was however too firmly established
with Mr. Smith and his family to lose their esteem without
a struggle. A consultation was held by them and Major
Sturt, unknown to me, what steps should be taken most

COFFEE HOUSES 89

likely to soften my father's anger, when, as I subsequently
found, Mr. Smith determined to call upon him in person
and plead for me, which he did, and so successfully, that
instead of upbraidings and reproaches which I felt I so
richly deserved, my father upon my going home only shook
his head, observing that I had a most zealous and powerful
advocate in Mr. Smith, and ill merited the affectionate
regards of such respectable and worthy people. " I have,"
continued my father, " given my word once more to pass
over this new transgression, and I hope by future diligence
and attention you will make up for lost time."

Thus easily did I escape from a serious scrape, and vowed
to myself to follow my father's advice and fulfil his hopes,
but alas, I never possessed a single grain of self command
or control over my passions ; one short week ended all my
good resolves, and I sunk deeper than ever in error. Not a
night but I passed a considerable portion of in every degree
of dissipation and debauchery, mixing with the most
abandoned of both sexes. In addition to Wetherby's and
Marjoram's, I had now discovered two other places of
the same stamp, or if the degrees of depravity and infamy
would admit, even worse. The one was facetiously called,
" The Soup Shop," a dirty vile ale house in Bridges Street,
Drury lane, where it was the custom to take a basin of ox
cheek broth at six o'clock in the morning, a villainous
compound of filth I took special care not a drop of should
ever pass my lips. The other new discovery was signifi-
cantly named, " The Finish." This was a shed in Covent
Garden market, thentofore dignified by the title of, " Car-
penter's Coffee house," and where they still continued to
dole out a Spartan mixture, difficult to ascertain the in-
gredients of but which was served as coffee. Returning
home from these intemperate scenes if my father was out
of town, as he generally was, I went to bed for four or five
hours, but if in town I went directly to my desk, where,
laying my head down upon it, I soon fell asleep, in which
state Mr. Bayley would often find me, when, awaking me,
he with a solemn face would say, " Indeed, William, these

90 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

are sad doings, and God only knows to what a life of such
excess will lead you."

Unfortunately for me, wlio required no encouragement,
or any persons to shew me bad example, my own evil
propensities being quite sufficient, there was at this time
in the office a young man, employed as a hackney writer,
whose name was Daniel Weir. He was Irish, a smart well
made fellow, and a great admirer of the fair sex, with whom
he was a universal favorite, and I believe from the same
reason as Tethrington. This person sometimes accom-
panied me in my nocturnal rambles, which he found both
pleasant and convenient, not being overtmrthened with
cash, and wherever we went I being paymaster. In return
however for my money he at different times introduced me
to women of a very superior sort to any I had thentofore
been acquainted with. These were mostly in keeping, and
as I suspect is almost always the case, were unfaithful to
their immediate patrons, always having one or more other
gallants.

One of Weir's fair friends to whom he had introduced
me, called herself Fanny Temple, and afterwards changed
it to Hartford. A finer woman in every respect could
not be. With her I became so great a favorite that
she never was happy unless I was with her. Unlike the
generality of women in that line of life, her manners
were perfectly correct, nor did I ever once hear a
vulgarism or coarse expression pass her lips. She wafs
mistress of music, had an enchanting voice, which she
managed with the utmost skill, danced elegantly and spoke
French, assez Uen. She inhabited an excellent house in
Queen Ann Street, and had besides neat lodgings in the
country, pleasantly situated near the water side just above
Hammersmith, and kept her own chariot, with suitable
establishment of servants, the whole being paid for, as
well as her domestic expenses, which were liberally allowed
for, by a gentleman of rank and fashion, possessed of a
splendid fortune, whom she told me my family was well
acquainted with. Yet notwithstanding I frequently en-

FANNY HARTFORD 91

treated her to tell me his name, she never would, observ-
ing that she had made a solemn promise never to divulge
it to any body whatsoever, and being a most liberal and
worthy man, she considered herself bound in honour and
conscience never to betray him. This being a line of conduct
every man of sentiment must approve, I ceased to importune
her on the subject, In a few weeks however I discovered
the person without the smallest blame attaching to her.
Thus, she and I had been one evening to Eanelagh, from
whence I had accompanied her to Queen Ann Street,
there to pass the night. Having supped, we were just
stepping into bed, when we heard some one running
quickly up stairs, and a great bustle in the passage, where-
upon she exclaimed, "My God! I am undone, there is

Mr. " I darted into a closet, the door of which was

scarce closed, when in he walked, and to my inexpressible
astonishment I recognized the voice of a gentleman I was
perfectly well acquainted with, whom I knew was married
to an amiable and accomplished woman, who had borne
him eight children, all then living, with which wife he was
upon the best terms, and they were by the world considered
as a rare instance of conjugal felicity in high life. He was
too at this time considerably above sixty years old. Fanny,
with a readiness that seldom fails the sex, called the maid
to take out and air clean sheets, leading her friend by the
hand into the dining room. The servant instantly locked
the door, and gathering up my clothes, carried them down
to the parlour, to which I softly descended, there dressed
myself, and made good my retreat.

The following day I received a note from Fanny desiring
me to come and dine with her. I accordingly went, when
after a warm embrace she observed what a narrow escape
we had had, where one minute more must have been fatal.
It seems the coachman had just stepped across the street
to order some porter for himself and kitchen companions,
leaving the door ajar in the interim. The old gentleman
arriving, he of course entered unannounced, and was march-
ing up stairs when the cook hearing him, and fearing what

92 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

might be the case, ran up screeching, and crying " thieves/*
in order to prepare us. The result is already known.
Fanny informed me everything passed off without the least
suspicion on his part. He had asked what ailed her, for
she seemed uneasy and flurried, which she ascribed partly
to head ache, and parbly to the unexpected happiness at
seeing him !

Early in this month, May, the famous riots occurred,
on account of Mr. Wilkes, then confined in the King's
Bench prison under a sentence of the Court of King's Bench.
A prodigious mob assembled for several days successively,
in front of the prison, but no violence was committed until
the 9th when a large body of sailors made their appearance,
some of whom like monkeys scrambling up the wall, were
in a minute at the window of Mr. Wilkes's apartment,
whom they offered directly to liberate, declaring if he gave
the word they would soon have the prison level with the
ground. Mr. Wilkes very prudently begged them to
desist, expressed his thanks for their personal regard to
him, adding he had no doubt the laws of his country would
ultimately do him justice. He therefore besought them
to do as he should, that was patiently to wait the result,
and that they would return peaceably to their own homes.
Upon which they gave three cheers and dispersed, saying
they would come again the next day, in case he (Wilkes)
should change his mind and wish to come out. Upon their
arrival at the prison, Mr. Thomas, the Marshall, being much
alarmed, sent off for a party of the guards. These soldiers
very imprudently on reaching the prison, where not one of
the sailors then remained, began beating and maltreating
the lookers on, which irritated the mob, some of whom threw
stones at the Guards, but nothing serious happened that day.

As I had been present the whole of the 9th and
concluded there would be a renewal of the disturbance
on the following day, I was stationed close to the prison
gates by nine in the morning of the 10th, where I found
already assembled a large party of the Third Regiment of
Guards, which consisted principally of Scotchmen, a eir-

WHKES AND LIBERTY 93

cumstance that tended to increase the mischief. Several
Justices of the Peace, and an immense body of constables
were also in attendance. At ten o'clock full a thousand
seamen made their promised visit, again mounting to Mr.
Wilkes's window, offering him liberty if he chose it, not-
withstanding the presence of the " lobsters " (as they
called the soldiers), Wilkes renewing his entreaties that
they would depart quietly. They as before, cheered,
and did so, a mere gaping inoffensive mob remaining. A
stupid, over zealous Justice however thought proper to read
the Riot Act, which not one hundredth part of the crowd
knew had been done, after which the same blockhead of a
Magistrate (Mr. Gillam) ordered the constables to disperse
the mob, which they attempted by seizing several inoffensive
persons and delivering them into charge of the military.
This ill timed and unnecessary violence at last raised a
general indignation amongst the spectators; loud hisses
commenced and abuse of the Scotch soldiers, and some
few stones were thrown, one of which hit Gillam, where-
upon the Magistrates ordered the Guards to fire, which
the infernal scoundrels instantly did, with ball, whereby
several persons lost their lives, some of them not being
in the mob at all, for the vile assassins fired in all directions,
and even across the public high road. One poor woman was
killed seated upon a cart-load of hay going by at the time.
At the time the firing commenced I was leaning upon the
railing that separated the fields from the road, talking to
a gentleman who stood near me, and we were mutually
reprobating the infamous conduct of the soldiers and
Magistrates when we observed several of the Guards running
towards us, and soon they were in pursuit of a man in a
scarlet waistcoat, who jumped over the rail within a foot
of us, four soldiers being about fifty yards behind him in
chase. My new acquaintance and I followed. The pursued
man ran round a windmill, when finding himself in danger
of being overtaken, he made for an Inn near the Borough,
kept by a Mr. Allen, the yard of which he entered, darting
through a barn r A as a cow house, having a door at each

M MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

end, two of the Guards being then close at his heels. At
the very instant he passed the second door, the son of Mr,
Allen entered by the opposite one, and unluckily having a
red waistcoat on, one of the soldiers, upon seeing him, pre-
sented his firelock and the young man in a fright dropped
on his knees, when the soldier fired killing him upon the
spot. All this was the work of a minute, my companion
and myself being witnesses of the whole transaction. The
mob, now justly irritated at the brutality of the soldiers,
became outrageous, and volleys of stones flew in every
direction. The soldiers loaded and fired again and again,
by which many lives were wantonly sacrificed. It struck
both me and my companion as wonderful that the soldier
who shot Allen, and his comrades, were suffered to return
unmolested, except by hooting and hissing, to the main
body, but the uproar then increasing, it was thought a
proper precaution to withdraw him from duty, and he was
lodged within the prison. The fellow pretended that it
was not his intention to have fired, and that his musket
went off upon half cock. A very large body of Horse Guards
having now joined the foot, galloping round the ground,
striking every one they met violently with their broad
swords, made the remaining there any longer a service
of danger. I therefore proposed leaving the spot, to which
my new acquaintance acceded, and we agreed to dine to-
gether, during which meal I learnt that his name was
Baker, that he resided at Deal, in which town he had a
large estate in houses. With this gentleman I afterwards
became intimate.

A Coroner's inquest being held upon the mangled corpse
of young Allen, after a full investigation of the circum-
stances, returned a verdict of " Wilful murder by certain
persons whose names they could not discover, but whom
they had ascertained to be private soldiers in His Majesty's
3rd Eegiment of Foot Guards." A monument was erected
over the grave, with an inscription stating that the de-
ceased had been barbarously murdered by a party of
Scotchmen belonging to the Third Regiment of Guards,

CHAPTER IX

DISGRACED

IN the month of June 1768, my early favorite. Nanny
Harris, whom I have already so often mentioned, died,
a martyr to a life of excess. The death of this young
creature caused me real and unfeigned sorrow.

A great part of the day I generally passed at tennis,
billiards, the Red House with Silver Tail, and in every
sort of dissipation. Sometimes I went with parties
upon the water, and I still continued an uncommonly
expert and skilful rower. I was one of the eight pro-
prietors of a rowing cutter, in which we made excursions
upon the Thames ; wore very smart uniforms, having a
waterman in a rich livery to steer us. In the end of June
1768, we performed what was by all the Thames people,
and those conversant in such matters, deemed a very
extraordinary feat, nothing equal to which had ever been
done before. We started from Roberta's, at Lambeth,
at high water, being then four o'clock in the morning ;
reached Gravesend, a distance of forty miles, by half
past seven ; at nine left it on our return, passed Lambeth
a little after twelve, and got to the Castle at Richmond
by three, where we dined and remained near four hours^;
at seven got again on board our cutter, and by half past
ten at night landed at Lambeth, having thus rowed our-
selves full one hundred and thirty miles in thirteen hours.
In July of the same year, we exhibited ourselves in a very
superior style. The Earl of Lincoln, who had a beautiful
house at Weybridge, near Walton Bridge, having with him a
large party of the nobility, male and female, upon a visit,
adopted various modes of amusing them, amongst others

95

96 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

he planned what was termed a Regatta, to which all the
gentlemen of the neighbourhood who kept boats were
invited. The whole were to assemble at the foot of his
Lordship's terrace, from thence in procession (the order
of moving being previously arranged) drop gently down
with the stream to Hampton Court, in the garden of which
an elegant collation was prepared in tents put up for the
occasion. After remaining there till towards sunset, they
were to pull up again to his seat, where a magnificent
dinner awaited them, with fireworks and superb illumina-
tions, the night to conclude with a Ball. This Entertain-
ment we determined to partake of, as far as with propriety
and civility we could ; and having heard and seen the
costly preparations the noble host had made for the re-
ception of his party, we agreed at least not to disgrace the
cavalcade we intended to accompany. We accordingly
had our cutter entirely new dressed and fitted up. She
was painted of a bright azure blue, with gold mouldings
and ornaments, the oars and every article finished in the
same way, richly embellished with aquatic devices. The
awning was of the same colour, in silk, as were the dresses
of the eight rowers, the jackets and trousers being trimmed
with an uncommonly neat spangle and foil lace, and made
easy, so that we could row perfectly well in them. We
wore black round hats with very broad gold bands, and small
bright blue cockades in front. The ensign was of richest
silks ; under the awning we had capital French horns
and clarinets, the performers being dressed exactly like
the rowers.

We sent the cutter, covered with matting, by West
Country barge to Walton, where we assembled in the
morning of the day of the entertainment, and having
equipped ourselves at the inn close to the bridge, we started
from thence to attend the Regatta. The novelty, as well
as the splendour of our appearance, drew every eye upon
us, and we undoubtedly made a very showy and brilliant
figure, far surpassing any one of the boats in the proces-
sion. We pulled what is called the Man of war's stroke.

A REGATTA AT HAMPTON COURT 97

The rapid manner in winch we moved in all directions
and our masterly manoeuvres, surprized, and seemed highly
to gratify the ladies of the party, so much so that nothing
but our boat was attended to. Thus we accompanied the
noble party to Hampton Court, at times rowing ahead, and
then again dropping astern of the Fleet. Upon bringing too,
Lord Lincoln sent a servant to our helmsman to enquire who
we were, and having ascertained that we were gentlemen,
he very politely came in person to our boat, returned his
own and his party's thanks for the great addition we had
made to their entertainment, and requested our company,
to partake as well of their cold collation as of the dinner
in the evening. This we as civilly declined, but our band
continued playing alternately with their own while they
remained at Hampton Court, his Lordship sending us an
abundant supply of refreshments, with ices and iced wines
of all sorts. The repast being over, we attended the pro-
cession back to Weybridge, our band playing martial
tunes whilst the company were landing. Being all on shore,
we arose, and took leave with three cheers, which were
most cordially returned by the gentlemen and ladies
waving their handkerchiefs, and Lord Lincoln again very
politely thanking us for our company.

It is scarcely necessary to add that such a life as I led
must unavoidably have been attended with a much greater
expenditure than my funds admitted of. In July my
father proposed taking a journey to Paris, with my mother,
sister Mary, and brother Joseph, to see the twins then
in the Convent of Panthemont. When preparing for this
excursion he was more in London than usual, and soon
discovered the irregularity of my conduct ; aware that
my allowances could not enable me either to dress as
1 did, or to be so much from home, he desired Mr. Bayley
immediately and accurately to investigate my office accounts.
This being done accordingly, a deficiency of near five
hundred pounds appeared within the last seven months.
Disgrace deservedly followed : my father declared himself
at a loss how to act, or what to do with me.

8 OF WILLIAM

In a most disagreeable state of suspense I continued a
week, during which I never made my appearance before
the family. At the end of that time I thought of apply-
ing to my mother to intercede in my favour, and I did
so. At first she peremptorily refused, observing that I
had behaved so uncommonly ill, and that too after such
repeated forgivenesses, that she had not a word to say
in my behalf, nor dared she entertain a serious hope
that I should ever forsake the evil courses I had so un-
fortunately fallen into, and, she was sorry to be obliged
to add, against which I did not seem to make the
slightest struggle. At this period however, I possessed
the power of persuasion in a considerable degree, especially
with those fond and partial as my mother was, and finally
I prevailed. My mother kindly undertook to make the
application , 'and having made it succeeded. Another tender,
and to me, truly distressing scene took place between my
father and mo, at which 1 made a thousand protestations
of altering my habits of life, and 1 can truly say I once
more resolved rigidly to keep my word, and become a new
man. My father assured me every thing that had passed
should be buried in oblivion, and that no one should ever
upbraid me respecting my late irregularities. As a proof
of the reliance he placed in me, and the confidence he had
in my honour, he said he should leave me sole master of
both the Twickenham and St. Albans Street houses, with
the keys of the cellars, &c., the use of his saddle horses,
and, in short, everything appertaining to town or country ;
his carriage and pair of horses he intended taking with
Ixim to Paris.

On the 6th of August, the family departed for Dover,
co which place my father had previously written to hire
a vessel to conduct them aE across the Channel. On
his leaving London lie gave me a draft upon his Bankers,
Messrs. Drummonds, for seventy odd pounds, also a letter
to Mr. Motteux, desiring Mm to settle an account then
subsisting between them, and in case of my calling for it
to pay to me whatever the balance in his favour might

CRICKET, WESTMINSTER a ETON 99

be. They left St. Albans Street before five o'clock in the
morning, and as I had got up to see them depart, I then
returned to my bed to finish my sleep. At .ten I arose fully
determined to act correctly, and in no way betray the
confidence my father had so generously placed in me.

It being the long vacation, and Circuit time, there was
little to do in the office. I therefore resolved to pass a
couple of days at Twickenham, principally with a view
to avoid encountering any of my dissolute companions,
and keeping myself out of the way of temptation. At
noon I mounted a beautiful blood mare of my father's,
and rode to Twickenham, where I dined and passed the
rest of the day with our neighbour, Mr. Hindley. The
next morning I went over to Hampton, to enquire about
a Cricket match, which had been made more than a month
before by the Duke of Dorset, between Eleven Gentlemen
who had been educated at Westminster, and Eleven of
Eton, in which I was nominated as one of the former,
being considered a famous stop behind wicket. At the Inn
I was informed that great enquiries had been made after
me, and much surprize expressed at my not attending the
days of practice, of which due notice had been sent, and
I certainly received, but this happening during my disgrace
I could not leave home. I further learnt that it was to be
played the following Wednesday on Moulsey Hurst, for
twenty guineas each person, the amount to be given
to the poor of the two parishes of Moulsey and Hampton.
Any one of either side neglecting to attend on the day
was to forfeit twenty guineas. The hour of pitching the
wickets was eleven.

The next day I returned to Town, and immediately
went to Queen Ann Street, not having seen my fair
friend Fanny Hartford for a fortnight, though I had
written her a particular account of all that had occurred
in my family. She most heartily congratulated me upon
the good resolutions I had made, and no Bishop could
have penned a better lecture upon morality than she did,
strenuously advising me to shew myself deserving of the

100 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

good opinion iny father entertained of me, and worthy of
the implicit confidence he had placed in me. Above all
things she recommended me to persevere in my de-
termination of keeping out of the way of temptation, by
avoiding all my gay associates, fairly confessing she had
no other reliance upon any of my good resolutions than
that of my avoiding evil example. " If," said she, "you will
put yourself under my care, I will engage to save your
honour, so seriously given in deposit to your father. Come
to my house as often as your requisite attention to business
will permit. We will go together to the public places that
are open, and I shall at least have the merit of keeping
you out of harm's way." For two days I did so, when
mentioning the Cricket match she exerted all her persuasive
powers to prevent my going to it, saying she would cheer-
fully pay double the forfeit rather than have me there,
and she did every thing she could devise to deter me from
making one of the set. I argued that I could be in no
danger from going ; the party consisting of none but young
men of the best connexions, several of fashion and large
fortune, the head of it being His Grace of Dorset also
Lord Francis Osborne, Lords Bulkeley and Molesworth,
my old friend Bob Henley, Sir Watkin Williams Wynne,
Mr. Colquhoun, Eamus, Pinnock, &c., not one of my
London acquaintances being likely to be present. She
at last, though very unwillingly, consented to my going,
exacting a faithful promise that I would avoid excess in
wine at the dinner which I had told her was to be at the
Toy after the match was over.

The next morning, being Tuesday, I went to Drum
monds and received the amount of my father's draft,
which was paid in the Portuguese coin of half Joes, 01
six and thirty shilling pieces, at that time made current
in Great Britain. I then called to say adieu to Hartford,
who renewed her endeavours to prevent my going, but
finding me inflexible, she contented herself with very
gravely requesting me to bear in mind my sacred promises
to my father and mother, I again assuring her, as the

THE BROTHERS WILLIAMS 101

fact was, that I run no risk whatever from the Cricket
party, I then went home, put on my boots, and by way
of lounging away an hour walked into the Park, intending
to pass through it up Constitution hill and to Hall's stables,
near Hyde Park Corner, where my father's horses then stood.
Unhappily for me, in the Mai, I met two young men to
whom I was very partial, brothers, of the name of Williams,
both born in the West Indies, from whence they had been
sent to England for education by their Guardians, and had
been in England about five years when I first became
acquainted with them. They were lively, pleasing lads,
according to fame living at a rate greatly beyond their
means. They expressed much joy at meeting me saying^
I must join a nice snug little party at the Shakespear
that day. This I pronounced impossible, telling them I
was then on my way to Twickenham, and that the following
day I was to play in a great Cricket match upon Moulsey
Hurst. They continued walking by my side, soliciting
me to join their gay set, which need not interfere at all
with the Cricket ; that Vincent and Newton (two remarkably
pleasant women) were to be present, and that it was a choice
party, one after my own heart. I resisted long, but finally
agreed to attend, determining however within myself
to avoid excess and to leave them early. Alas ! I never
could depend upon myself when once embarked in convivial
society. The consequences of that, to me, fatal night,
gave an extraordinary turn to the whole tenor of my future
life. Instead therefore of proceeding to Twickenham,
I merely took a ride in Hyde Park, returned to Hall's and
desired the mare might be saddled and ready for me at
nine o'clock in the evening, by which hour I should be
there again.

Booted and spurred as I was, I then went to the
Shakespear, where I found the two Williams's, a man
of the name of Jennings, a great sportsman, who
kept several racers, and lived in a most dashing style,
though no one knew from whence his resources came,
a Captain Taylor, who commanded the HammMre, East

102 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

Indiaman, Lowry, an eminent Banker's son, Clapereau,
a remarkably handsome youth, who was afterwards for
some years a companion of the Prince of Wales, the above
mentioned Misses Vincent and Newton, with two other
equally jovial damsels. The whole party, male and female,
were of the description yclept " hard goers." This did
not alarm me, for in those days I could keep way with the
best of them at fair drinking. After my spirits were ex-
hilarated by a liberal dose of champagne (still keeping
in mind my determination to go to Twickenham that
night) one of the waiters came in and said a gentleman
wished to speak with me. I went out and found Tomkins,
the master of the house, who directly said :

" I sent for you, Mr. Hickey, to put you on your guard.
You are in bad company such as you should avoid ; above
all things avoid getting drunk. Take my advice as a well
wisher ; I promised Tethrington and your brother, if ever
I saw you in danger, to protect you. You are so now, so
take care."

I felt all he said, and assured him I would be on my
guard and leave the party immediately. Upon my return
into the room Newton was singing one of her best and most
convivial songs, in the progress of which at least half a
dozen bumpers were toped down. Her example was
followed by Vincent in a song of the same kind. I was
next called upon, and sung " Let poor priggish Parsons, &c."
By the time I had finished, so much wine was in my head
that prudence and all my good intentions were drowned ;
none then so vociferous for more champagne as myself,
and, as was always the case with me when at a certain
pitch of intoxication, I became desperate, drank past
all recollection, and of what ensued during several subsequent
hours I was wholly insensible, but collected the various
circumstances at subsequent periods, and from different
persons. Between eight and nine o'clock it seems the
women, tired of drinking, proposed going to tea at the
Pack horse, Turnham Green, and there have a swing.
Carriages were ordered and away we went, I being drunk

THE VICTIM OF SHARKS 103

as a beast. After tea, Jennings proposed a supper at
Stacey's the Bedford Arms in Covent Garden, which was
vehemently opposed by Captain Taylor, and Clapereau,
who from shirking the wine had kept tolerably sober ;
I was decidedly for the supper, which was therefore de-
termined on and to Stacey's we went, Clapereau accompany-
ing, solely with the humane intention of rescuing me from
the fangs of the harpies he saw I was the object of. He
therefore begged and entreated me to let him carry me home,
which only excited my anger and indignation. After sub-
mitting to the grossest abuse from me for a long time,
he at last got up, told the triumvirate that he knew I
had a considerable sum of money about me and was too
stupidly drunk to take care of myself, that they were there-
fore bound in honour to protect and take care of me, and
with this hint to them that he suspected their intentions,
he left me to my fate. The three worthies, Jennings and
the Williams's, having thus succeeded in getting me to
themselves picked my pocket ! literally so, as I have
every reason to believe.

My first return of sense or recollection was upon wak-
ing in a strange, dismal looking room, my head aching
horridly, pains of a violent nature in every limb, and
deadly sickness at the stomach. From the latter I
was in some degree relieved by a very copious vomiting.
Getting out of bed, I looked out of the only window in
the room, but saw nothing but the backs of old houses,
from which various miserable emblems of poverty were
displayed, such as ragged shifts, petticoats, and other
parts of female wardrobes hanging to dry. I next took
up my breeches to examine the pockets ; well stored as
they had been the preceding day not a. sixpence remained.
My gold watch and appendages were likewise gone. To
describe my feelings, mental and bodily, upon this occasion
would require a much abler pen than mine. At that moment
I do not believe in the world there existed a more wretched
creature than myself.

I passed sorae minutes in a state little short of de$-

104 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

pair; I rung a bell I found in the room for the pur-
pose of ascertaining where I had got to, and other
particulars. No one answered until I had three or four
times repeated my application to the bell rope, when at
last a yawning man, who seemed half asleep, made his
appearance immediately exclaiming, " Good God, how
drunk and riotous you was, Sir ! I never saw anything
to equal it." I enquired where I was, observing that the
night before I had a considerable sum of money, of which
nothing was left, my watch, chain, and seals being also
gone. The man replied that I was at the Cross Keys Bagnio,
in Little Eussell Street, Drury Lane, having been brought
there by the watchmen at five o'clock in the morning,
in woeful plight ; that the watchmen said I had been turned
out of Wetherby's, which they were not surprized at, for
so noisy and ungovernable a young gentleman they never
before met with ; that they were obliged to summon a
number ere they could secure me, which having effected,
they had determined to convey me to Covent Garden
watch house, there to wait the rising of a Magistrate.
But two of those respectable Guardians of the night stood
my friends, saying they knew me well from frequenting
the houses in that neighbourhood, and that I had given
them many a shilling to drink ; one of the waiters also
coming out from Wetherby's became a zealous advocate
for me, and assuring the watchmen I was a generous
fellow who would amply reward them, he recommended
their carrying me to the Cross Keys, in the same Street,
which they accordingly did, I resisting as lopg as I was able ;
that upon giving me into the hands of the waiters the
watchmen pointed out that I had lost one of my silver
spurs, they knew not where, but supposed whilst I was
Struggling with them, but that my watch was safe, the
waiter pulling it from his fob. He further said he had
searched my breeches pockets in presence of the watchmen,
and found them quite empty. The recovery of my watch,
which was a valuable one, was some consolation. I found
it was then just nine o'clock.

PLAYS IN WESTMINSTER v. ETON

Whilst putting on my clothes, the waiter assis!|ft^ me,
he observed on taking iip my coat there was
sounded like money. Whereupon, feeling in the
I, to my inexpressible joy, found seven half Joes, or
six and thirtys, and from the other pocket I took a letter
arhich proved to be my father's to Mr. Motteux enclosing
the draft for balance of an account. This was like a
reprieve to a man under sentence of death ; I liberally
rewarded the waiter and watchmen, two of whom I
was informed were waiting at the door for me, and al-
though so ill that I could scarcely hold up my head, I got
into a haqkney coach, directing to be driven to St. Albans
Street. I vomited out of the coach window the whole
way to the great entertainment of the foot passengers.

On my arrival at home, the servants were shocked to see
the condition I was in, looking pale as a corpse. They
strenuously recommended my going to bed, but that I
declared absolutely impossible, as I must be at Moulsey
in little more than an hour. The clearing my stomach
of the vile stuff it contained had in some measure relieved
me, though I still had an excruciating head ache.

Whilst changing my clothes the servants prepared some
very strong coffee, which proved of infinite benefit. Hav-
ing washed, put on clean linen, and had my hair dressed,
I again stepped into the same coach that brought me
home, and drove to Hall's stables, stopping on the way
to purchase a new pair of spurs, and a whip, for that was
also lost. By the time I mounted the mare it was a quarter
past ten, so that I had only three quarters to go twelve
miles in. I made the noble animal (always willing enough
to dash on) put her best leg foremost, and notwithstanding
a horrible head ache, and at times sickness, I went at speed
the whole distance, the clock striking eleven just as I
entered Hampton. I found the contending parties then
in the act of crossing the Thames, having got a volunteer
to supply my place as they had given me up. I instantly
followed and thus saved my credit and my money.

Our party proved successful, after a hard match. As the

106 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

Westminsters insisted, we should have won easier had 1
played as usual, but I was so ill all the time that I let several
balls pass me that ought not to have done so, by which our
adversaries gained a number of notches. We then adjourned
to the Toy, where a magnificent dinner was prepared,
no part of which could I relish, the loss of my money the
night before, and the early forfeiture of my promises to
my parents, weighing heavy on my spirits. Even champagne
failed to cheer me ; I could not rally. The moment there-
fore the bill was called for, and our proportions adjusted
and paid, I mounted my mare, and in sober sadness gently
rode to my father's at Twickenham, a distance of between
two and three miles.

I never could account for the seven pieces of gold, and
the draft upon Motteux, being in my coat pockets, nor
how they came there, unless, with the degree of cunning
that lunatics generally shew, the same sentiment operating
with me drunk as I was, I secreted them by shifting them
from my breeches to my coat with the idea of saving
something. Clear it is, I think, that my scoundrel com-
panions would not have let even that small proportion
of the booty escape them, had they known I possessed
it. Possibly my father's draft upon Motteux they might
have left as useless, from not having my endorsement
upon it.

Whilst upon the subject, I may as well conclude the
account of this transaction, and the history of the three
plunderers. The way I discovered the robbery was
this : Walking in St. James's park, near three months
after the circumstance above related had happened, one
of the Williams's joined me, and, after v the customary
salutations were exchanged, he began to speak of the
Shakespear and Bedford Arms party, observing how much
concerned he had been at my obstinately persevering in
my determination to play, notwithstanding the rest op-
posed it, whereby I had been a sufferer. Conscious, and
certain as I was, that in the whole course of my life I never
the perioa to propose gambling, nor ver played at

HOW HE WAS ROBBED 107

any games but tennis and billiards, and that for amuse-
ment, but at the same time anxious to gain all the informa-
tion I could relative to that night, I appeared to acquiesce
in all he said, observing that it arose from my being so
abominably drunk. I added that I had paid dearly for
my folly, having lost near seventy pounds. Whereupon
Williams, with great quickness, replied :

" Oh no ! not near so much, you did not lose more than
fifty pounds, at most."

I then said :

" Why really, my head was so full of wine that I have a
very imperfect recollection about the matter, and do not
even remember what we played at."

" Dear I " answered Williams, " I wonder you forget that,
because it was you that named the game of Brag, declaring
you would play at nothing else."

"And pray," asked I, "how did I perform? Like a
novice I suspect."

" Oh no, very well, and sharp enough I assure you."

" That's not a little extraordinary," said I, " for it so
happens that I never played, or even saw the game of
Brag played in the course of my life, nor do I at this moment
know a single card at it."

The rascal looked quite confounded, began to hem and
haw, to talk of the weather, horse racing, and other mattera
in quick succession, when finding I made no answer to any
of the subjects he thus broached, he aSected to see a person
he wanted to speak to upon business of importance and
suddenly darted off.

Having learnt the above circumstances from one of
the party concerned, I immediately went to Stacey to
ask some further particulars. He made no difficulty in
telling me that Jennings was the person who called for
cards, and that two packs were taken up, neither of
which were opened, and he was positive no cards were
played at all. "Indeed," added he, "you was so drunk
as to be utterly incapable of knowing what you was about,
and I recommended that a Chair should be celled for to

108 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

convey you home, to which the gentlemen acceded, and
I ordered a waiter to call one. 55 Thus it is beyond all
doubt that they actually picked my pocket ! The fate
of these three men was extraordinary. The elder Williams
shortly afterwards was thrown from his horse at Guildford
races and broke his neck ; the younger brother having
run out of every thing was thrown into the Eleet prison by
his creditors, where being in want of the common necessaries
of life, he finished his career by putting a pistol to his head.
Jennings was taken up for a highway robbery, tried, and
but for the leniency of his prosecutor must have suffered
at Tyburn. He was transported for life. So much for my
three precious friends,

CHAPTER X

THE LAST STIIAW

I REMAINED at Twickenham the following day, being
far from recovered from my debauch of two days before.
In the evening feeling better, I went to Kew Gardens
to see some fireworks, which were to be exhibited in honour
of the Prince of Wales's birthday, at which the King of
Denmark, then just arrived in England, was present.
From Kew I returned to sleep at Twickenham, On the
morning of the 14th I mounted my horse and rode to town.
I found Mr. Bayley at his post, but as I had requested his
permission to be absent a few days on account of the Cricket
match, nothing was said to me on that subject, except his
remarking that I looked very ill. After staying a few honrs
in the office, I walked up to Fanny Hartford's, but she had
left town that morning for a short time. On my return
I casually met my brother Henry, who told me Tethrington
and three other jolly dogs were to meet him at Mrs. Har-
rington's, at Charing Cross, that day, and there dine,
and he asked me to join them, which I consented to and
accordingly went, but an unaccountable depression of
spirits so harassed me I could not get on. The party rallied
me and plied champagne and burgundy. It was in vain,
and finding this, Tethrington kindly advised me to go home
to bed, and he had no doubt I should be perfectly well the
next day and able to enjoy the society of the same set
who were to meet and dine together at the Rose tavern.

I did as recommended and had a tolerable night's rest ;
still, I rose sadly dejected, and after taking a long ride,
feeling myself unequal to encounter the gaiety of the Rose
party, I took a solitary meal at Slaughter's at an early
hour. In the afternoon I walked towards Chelsea- in-
tending to cross over to the Red house, but at Pimlico

109

110 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

I was overtaken by some acquaintances who said they
were going to see Balloni played, an Italian game then
just come into fashion and played at a public house at
Pimlico. As I had never seen it I joined them and looked
on until dusk, when we went into the house to which the
Balloni ground was attached, and drank coffee. It was
then proposed to spend the rest of the evening at Vauxhall,
whither we all went, but the same lowness of spirits op-
pressing me I left the party, and taking a boat I landed
at Westminster Bridge, from whence I walked to Queen
Ann Street, hoping to revive in the society of my fair friend,
but she not being returned to town, I resolved to go quietly
home.

Upon reaching St. Albans Street, about eleven at night,
I knocked with, I knew not why, a tremulous hand and
an uneasy sensation I could not account for, which was
increased by seeing the street door opened by a man
servant who had attended the family to France ; at the
same moment I observed trunks in the passage. This
servant looked melancholy and distressed, but uttered
not a word. My first idea was that some fatal accident
had occurred, and I eagerly enquired for my father. The
servant replied, "My master, Sir, is above in his bed chamber,
extremely ill." I then concluded this illness had occasioned
their sudden return, until asking after my mother the same
servant, bursting into tears, said, "My poor mistress
is dead."

This event so sudden, so entirely unexpected, gave me
the severest shock I ever felt. It instantly came across
my mind that in those moments I was spending in
riot, drunkenness and excess, my revered parent was
breathing her last. Conscience smote me severely, I had
nothing to palliate my conduct, and I retired to my room
grievously oppressed in mind, looking forward with terror
to a meeting with my father, a meeting I was every way
so ill prepared for, but which I every moment expected
to be summoned to, feeling too utterly at a loss what to
say for having so shamefully forfeited my honour.

HIS MOTHER'S DEATH 111

My grief for the death of a fond and partial mother was
ardent and sincere. I however derived a melancholy consola-
tion from feeling that she had left the world unacquainted
with my last folly, and scandalous breach of promise. I
sat myself down upon my bed without taking off my clothes.
During the night I closed not my eyes, and heard a constant
bustle and running up and down stairs until five in the
morning, when worn out by anxiety and want of rest,
I sunk into a disturbed, unrefreshing slumber for a couple
of hours, when I rose and softly opening my door I looked
out. Every thing being quiet, I descended to the kitchen,
where one of the maids was sitting, who to my utter astonish-
ment informed me that my father and sister had set off in a
post chaise for Twickenham before six o'clock. This I
own was a relief, as it afforded me time to prepare for the
meeting I so much dreaded with my father. She further
told me that upon my father's leaving town my elder
brother retired to his chamber, desiring not to be dis-
turbed until he rang his bell, as he had been several nights
with scarce any sleep. This servant was ignorant whether
my father had made enquiries about me or not.

Upon my brother's coming down, he informed me that they
had embarked on board a commodious vessel that had been
hired for my father on the morning of the 8th of August,
with a strong wind from the Northward. My poor mother,
who always had a great dread of the sea, was extremely
sick, as were the whole family. Tor two hours she remained
up on deck, when being quite exhausted and faint from
excessive vomiting, she took the Captain's advice by going
down to the cabin to which she was assisted by him and
the cabin boy, neither of the servants being able to move.
In a few minutes the boy returned up on deck, telling my
father the lady had laid down upon the bed, and was better,
appearing to be in a doze. In little more than half an hour
afterwards they entered Calais Pier, where all motion ceasing
every one became instantly well, and Molly Jones, descending
to inform my mother, screamed out that her mistress was
dead. My father and every one else thereupon rushed

112 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

towards the cabin. It was alas too true, the vital spark
had for ever fled, though she looked as if in a tranquil sleep,
and she who only three hours before was in the full vigour
of health and spirits, now lay an inanimate, breathless
corpse.

My father's distress and agony was beyond description.
Naturally of uncommonly strong passions, and possessed
of extraordinary sensibility, the blow so unlooked for,
so awfully sudden, nearly overwhelmed him. Fortunate
it was that my brother Joseph was of the party. Though
equally feeling the irreparable loss he had sustained, he
had more command over himself than my father, and
sensible that the peculiarity of their situation required the
most active exertions, the first step he took was to procure
the best medical aid that Calais afforded. Two French
Physicians and a Surgeon went on board the vessel, who,
upon inspection and examination of the body were all of
opinion that life was irrecoverably gone, and the cause,
apoplexy, probably brought on from extreme terror.

These important points being thus ascertained, my brother
then applied to the Master, or Captain of the vessel, forth-
with to convey the family and my mother's corpse back to
Dover. But this he said was not in his power to do, being
engaged to transport part of the Danish monarch's suite
across the Channel, as was the case with every other vessel
then at Calais, nor indeed could any thing possibly get out
of the pier, the wind blowing hard and directly into the
harbour. In this truly distressing situation my father and
family were not only obliged to quit the sloop, but to have
the corpse landed also, which the very hour it took place,
the police and clergy interfered, claiming all the property
of the deceased from being an heretic.

With much trouble and at a considerable expense my
brother at last got all matters arranged. Two days elapsed
before the King of Denmark's people were embarked, and
two more ere my brother could procure a vessel to con-
vey himself and our family to Dover, In the interim my
mother's corpse had been enclosed in a leaden coffin, and

CONVEYING THE BODY FROM FRANCE 113

on the 18th was put on board a small fishing vessel in
which the family also embarked, except the coachman who
was left in charge of the carriage and horses, which the
boat was not large enough to receive. At ten the next
morning they landed at Dover, and immediately set off
post for London, Molly Jones and another female servant
remaining to attend the corpse, which Messrs. Minet and
Factor of Dover, had undertaken to forward in a proper
manner to town.

My brother also told me that my father upon his arrival
had made particular enquiries about me, but had declined
seeing Mr. Bayley, from being too ill and too much agitated.
He had however requested him to go down to Twickenham
the next day. The same evening (the 17th of August) the
hearse containing my mother's body, and a mourning coach
with the servants , reached St. Albans Street.

The following morning before eight o'clock, Mr. Bayley,
who also resided in St. Albans Street, sent for me to
tell me he had the preceding day been to my father at
Twickenham, whom he found in a most pitiable state and
so dreadfully affected by the misfortune that had hap-
pened, that he really apprehended it would break his
heart. " I was so shocked at finding him so ill " (added
Mr. Bayley) " that I dared nor venture to say how ill
you had behaved, and how little I had seen of you
at the office during the ten days of his absence, but,
William, the hour of reckoning is at hand ; your father
will require your presence the moment he acquires strength
enough to bear the interview. Prepare therefore for it,
and if you can, to account for your conduct since he has
been away. Let me also have a statement of the cash
he left with you, which ought to be entire, as I see by the
book you have not disbursed a shilling for the office."

I then briefly and candidly represented to Mr. Bayley
every circumstance that had occurred, and the consequences
to me, returning to him the draft upon Motteux, which
was all that remained. He was sadly shocked, yet, seeing
my contrition and how much I was distressed, he humanely

1U MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

forebore all reproaches, merely observing he could not but
dread the effect a discovery of my misconduct would have
upon my poor father.

In three days after my interview with Mr. Bayley, I
attended my mother's funeral. She was buried in a
vault constructed for the purpose in Twickenham Church-
yard, the service being performed with great solemnity
by Dr. Duval, the then Rector. Previous to this last
sad ceremony my father removed from his own house at
Twickenham to my Uncle Boulton's at Coleherne, near
Kensington, where he was informed of every particular
relative to me, and I was desired to attend in person at
Coleherne the following Sunday morning. Could the meeting
by any means have been avoided, I know not what sacrifice
I would not have made in preference to encountering it,
but as I knew it was unavoidable and must take place,
I began to consider how I should act. At one time I thought
it would be most pmdent to plead guilty and throw myself
upon my father's mercy, but then conscience told me I
had so frequently done the same that I could neither
flatter myself with the hope of forgiveness, nor of having
the smallest reliance placed in anything I should say or any
promises I might make. I then thought of declaring myself
incapable of fixing steadily to any thing, and that I must
submit to be forsaken and left to my fate. In short I
planned twenty different ways for conducting myself
when before my father, every one of which were forgotten
and abandoned upon seeing the grief worn countenance, the
deadly yet strongly speaking melancholy impressed upon
his sorrowful and expressive features. I was struck dumb
with grief at beholding my much loved, indulgent and
honoured parent in such a lamentable state, and at my
having instead of being as I ought to have been a comforter,
and a soother of his calamity, been an additional thorn in
his side, an aggravator of his misery. Upon entering the
chamber he was in, I burst into a passion of tears, bordering
upon convulsion. The source of my father's was dried up,
quite exhausted he uttered not a syllable, but looked so

HIS FATHER'S DESPAIR 115

agonized that my uncle, who was present, alarmed for
his life eagerly and instantly taking hold of my arm led
me out of the room. For ten days I saw no more of my
father. At the end of that time I was again summoned to his
room, he being still at Colehern. I found him composed,
but looking dreadfully ill, thin and pale. He languidly said :
William, I lament that you should once more have
deceived and disappointed me.' 5 Then pausing and cover-
ing his face with both hands for some moments, he con-
tinued : " But I have observed that plans fondly laid by
parents for their children very early in life, are seldom or
never made effectual. It has pleased an all wise providence to
heap upon me accumulated afflictions, but God's will be done,
it is as much my duty as my inclination humbly to bow to
these visitations. As I find you cannot settle yourself
to any thing in your native land, we must try another
line and another country for you, and may the Almighty
in his unbounded goodness vouchsafe to turn your heart.
I still believe, notwithstanding all that has passed, that
your wish is to do right, and that you are not void of sensi-
bility and generosity, but resolution, or control over your
passions you have none. Through life, young as you are,
you have hitherto suffered them heedlessly to run away
with you, even without a struggle. 55 After another pause he
added : " Since I saw you last I have procured for you the
situation of a cadet in the East India Company's service,
and God grant you may do better in future than you have
hitherto. And now leave me, I feel too weak and exhausted
to say more. 95

On my way back to London I reflected very seriously
upon recent events, and the important change about to
take place respecting myself, but as novelty is everything
to a youthful mind, more cheerful ideas soon predominatedj
and I looked forward with something like pleasure.

In the middle of September, several friends having
recommended my father to go to some place at a distance,
in order to try to get rid of a nervous affection that preyed
upon his spirits, he resolved to visit Bath and to take me

116 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

with. him. In three days after we accordingly set off in my
father's post chaise, attended by one man servant. After
remaining one week at Bath, we went to Bristol, and from
thence crossed the water into Wales, which we traversed
until we reached Flint, at which town resided Mr. Chetwood
and family, consisting of a wife, and three grown up,
fine young women daughters, Ann, Hessy, and Elizabeth,
with all of whom I was acquainted, they having spent
some time with us at Twickenham. These were the girls
that caused the sudden dispersion of my mouthful of peas
already mentioned.

During our sojourn with this worthy family, my father's
health and spirits materially improved. He would not,
however, stay any longer, being anxious to get to Lon-
don in order to prepare for my departure to the East.
On the 6th of October therefore we took leave of the
Chetwoods, and on the 9th arrived in St. Albans Street.
During this excursion my father often, although with
great moderation and temper, touched upon my follies
and irregularities, earnestly beseeching me to learn to
check my passions, and not, as thentofore had been the
case, to yield to every temptation that presented itself.
He particularly dwelt upon the necessity of my doing so
as I was now going into the world my own master, with no
parent's watchful attention to check or advise, that my
first and principal object must be scrupulously and
cautiously to avoid gaming and gamesters, which other-
wise would prove my bane and ruin. I then assured him,
as the fact was, that I had never in my life lost a guinea
at any one time, never touched cards or dice, and although
I had certainly played much at tennis and at billiards,
I had done so solely for amusement and at the expense
only of the court or tables with the exception of losing
a few sixpences to the people I played with at billiards,
as I have before mentioned.

It was evident that my father doubted my asseveration,
for he observed, if the fact had been so it was utterly im-
possible I could have got rid of the large sums of money I

PREPARATIONS AS A CADET 117

had squandered within the last two years, and notwith-
standing my continued assurances that such was the case v
he still doubted my word, giving me a serious lecture upon
the very ungentlemanlike and disgraceful practice of swerv-
ing from the truth upon any occasion. He further said
that the company I had kept was a flat and positive proof
that I disguised the truth. The fair presumption being so
much against me, I ceased to attempt any further defence,
but assured my father he need be under no fears about
my gambling in future. He then gave me permission to
get what clothes I pleased made up, that he would accom-
pany me into the City to learn what things were proper and
necessary for me, and that with all such I should be
supplied.

A few days after our return to town my father took
me to visit Sir George Colebrooke, the director who had
nominated me a cadet. The Baronet received us with
great politeness, telling my father it afforded him pleasure
to have had it in his power to comply with his request.
He said he had appointed me for Madras in preference
to Bengal, which was by many considered the most ad-
vantageous for a military man, because the coast of
Coromandel was then the seat of an active war with
Hyder Ali, and consequently more likely to give promotion
to a young soldier, and that instead of remaining a cadet
two, three, or four years, as would probably happen to
those who went the ensuing season to Bengal, I should
obtain a commission in the Madras army upon landing.

From Sir George Colebrooke's, we went to Mr. Laurence
Sullivan's, then a man of great influence and a leading
Director. He likewise was very kind, and promised to
give letters that would be of essential service to me.
He recommended my father to lose no time in securing
a passage for me, as the ships would all be much crowded.
From Mr. Sullivan's we went to the India house, where
I was introduced to Mr. Coggan, one of the Company's
principal officers, who being then very busy desired I
would call the following morning and he would put me

118 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

in the way of doing what was requisite. I accordingly
did so, when he gave me a printed list of necessaries
for a writer, observing that most of the articles therein
specified would be equally useful to a military man,
only I must recollect in addition to take a few yards of
scarlet, blue, green, and yellow cloths, in order to make
up regimentals according to the corps to which I should be
attached, the Infantry wearing scarlet, but with different
facings of blue, yellow, or Green, the Artillery like his
Majesty's, blue with scarlet facings, and the Engineers
scarlet faced with black velvet. He advised me to try for
a passage to Madras in the Plassey, and gave me a letter
of introduction to Captain Waddell, who commanded her
and who was a particular friend of his. This letter I de-
livered the same day to Captain Waddell at his house
in Golden Square. He received me with much civility,
saying that although he had determined not to take any
more passengers than he had already got, he could not
refuse his friend Mr. Coggan, and room must therefore
be made for me. He told me he expected to sail early
in December, and that I, as well as every body else, must
be on board prior to the ship's leaving Gravesend. I next
ascertained what was to be paid, and found it to be fifty
guineas for a seat at the Captain's table. I then went
to my father's tailor, Anthony Marcelis, of Suffolk Street,
Charing Cross, to order regimentals, but not knowing to
what corps I should be appointed, I conceived the best
thing I could do would be to have a suit of each description,
which I directed accordingly. Upon my way from Marcelis
I met in the street a dashing fellow in a scarlet frock,
with black waistcoat, breeches, and stockings, which in
my eyes appeared remarkably smart. I therefore returned
instantly to 'the tailor to bespeak a similar dress, as I
was then in mourning for my mother. Marcelis suggested
an improvement, which was to have the coat lined with
black silk, and black buttons and button holes, which not
only looked better than the plain red, but was more ap-
propriate as military mourning.

INITIATED AS A "BUCK" 119

Mr. Walter Taylor, a very old Mend of my father's,
presented me with a beautiful cnt and thrust steel sword,
desiring me to cut off half a dozen rich fellow's heads with
it, and so return a Nabob myself to England. In three
days after I received this sword, my clothes being sent
home, I burst forth a martial buck of the first stamp,
and not a little vain was I of the figure I made. I seldom
appeared two successive days in the same dress ; my inti-
mates beheld me with astonishment, observing I was going
abroad in a splendid style. Some of my brother Joseph's
acquaintances enquired what the devil regiment I had
got into, for that they met me in half a dozen different
uniforms in as many days. I was now a gentleman at
large, thinking myself at perfect liberty to make the most
of the short time I had to remain in London.

About this period my brother Henry proposed intro-
ducing me to a society he said he was sure I should
like, and in the evening took me to the Globe tavern
in Craven Street when I was directly initiated as a
Buck, and as Henry had predicted, was much pleased,
all being laugh and pleasantry. I found a set of young
men accoutred in splendid ornaments, arranged in great
form, one who presided being elevated about three feet
above the rest. In about an- hour after my admission
all the business of the meeting being finished, the Lodge was
closed, when every person did as he pleased. Some ordered
supper in detached parties of from three to six, others
only drank wine, or punch, as fancy led. The eating being
over, the best singing I ever heard commenced. There
I first had the pleasure to hear Dodd, the player, sing his
famous song of "Cease rude Boreas," and a charming
performance he made it. He was followed by Hook,
Champnes, Banister, Dibdin, and many other celebrated
voices, who were all Members of the Lodge, which was
distinguished by the name of " The Euphrates." There
I spent a night of infinite gratification.

Shortly after my admission, John Wilkes, then a prisoner
in the King's Bench, was proposed as an honorary Brother,

120 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

which being unanimously agreed to, a deputation was
nominated, of which they did me the honour to make me
one, to communicate the same to him, to pass through the
customary ceremonials and invest him with the Insignia of
the Order. Haying given him due notice, we two days
after waited upon him at his apartments in the King's
Bench prison, where he received us most graciously, ex-
pressed himself highly honoured and flattered by the
attention of so ancient and respectable a society as the
Bucks, upon which he bestowed an elegant encomium.
Of his speech he, upon our special request, gave a copy
in writing, which we begged his permission to have inserted
in the registry of the Lodge, which was done accordingly.
There were many other Lodges in London, all of which
occasionally visited each other in all their state. In No-
vember the Lodge called " The Macedonian " gave a very
splendid entertainment at the London tavern to upwards
of six hundred ladies and gentlemen, at which I was present.

In the midst of dissipation my poor mother's recent
death was, I am ashamed to say, almost forgotten, yet
in my minutes of reflection which would sometimes occur,
I upbraided myself for thus soon nearly forgetting a fond
and affectionate parent, as she had ever proved to me.

The first time I appeared in my scarlet and black, I
committed a sad solecism in dress by wearing my military
sword. Of this error I was unconscious until told of it
by a young man who perfectly understood the etiquette
of dress, and he said I was very wrong, that the sword
should be black, with a sword loveknot of black. Of course
I lost no time in equipping myself " comme il faut." My
father made no complaint of my having such a variety
of clothes, but much as to the cat of them. Making double
breasted coats for such a climate as the East Indies he
pronounced preposterous and absurd, yet in this he was
mistaken. Officers in India dress precisely the same (in
point of coat at least) as in Europe, and although certainly
absurd in such extreme heat, actually button the lapel
close up to the throat,

VISITS THE PLASSEY 121

My attached Fanny Hartford was much pleased with
my appearance en militaire, but grieved at thinking she
was so soon to lose me. As she, like myself, had never seen
the inside of a ship, I early in November proposed taking
her to Gravesend, where the Plassey then lay taking in
cargo. To this she consented, and we went down, and
were received with the utmost attention by the commanding
officer, Mr. Peter Douglas, the third mate, who conducted
us through every part of the ship, explaining the uses of
the different articles. He made a thousand apologies for
the dirty state of the ship, which he said was unavoidable
whilst receiving the cargo, but that if he had previously
known we were coming things should have been in some-
what less disorder, and he would have prepared refresh-
ments, whereas he now had nothing better to offer than a
beef steak. We thanked him for his politeness, observing
we had ordered dinner at the Inn, and should be happy
if he would favour us with his company, which he promised
he would.

The ship certainly was in a sad dirty plight, but Mr.
Douglas's cabin was an exception to the general filth,
being neatness itself, and most elegantly fitted up. It
was painted of a light pea green, with gold beading,
the bed and curtains of the richest Madras chintz, one
of the most complete dressing tables I ever saw, having
every useful article in it ; a beautiful bureau and book
case, stored with the best books, and three neat mahogany
chairs, formed the furniture. In all my subsequent voyages
I never saw so handsome an apartment in a ship. He said
if we would wait until he changed his dress, he would
attend us on shore. This we willingly agreed to, and found
abundant entertainment in looking about the Bound house,
where every thing was quite new to us.

At three in the afternoon we landed, and set down in half
an hour afterwards to as good a dinner as the cook of the
Falcon Inn could furnish. We luckily found the champagne
very passable, and gave our guest as much as he chose of
it. He stayed with us till past midnight, when he returned

122 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

on board the Plasszy, promising to spend the following
day with us. Upon taking leave of me that night he ex-
pressed himself as being delighted with the beauty and
the elegant manners of Hartford, and often since has
declared to me that the two days he passed with her and
me were amongst the pleasantest of his life. He was in
our sitting room at the Falcon when I went down before
9 o'clock next morning, and whilst we were at breakfast,
observing it was a charming day, he proposed by way of
filling up the morning, to order a chaise and go to Chatham,
where as he had a relation in the Dockyard he could procure
for us a sight of every thing worthy inspection, and as we
had been pleased by seeing a dirty East Indiaman in her
very worst state, he was sure the view of a first rate, in
the best order, would afford us high gratification. Fanny
liking the excursion, desired I would order the carriage,
and at, half past ten, Douglas was agreeably surprised by
getting into a very stylish post chaise (Fanny's own) with
four post horses, being attended by her coachman, and
man servant (the latter an inveterate coxcomb) on horse
back. We proceeded to Chatham, and enquiring for
Douglas's friend, who was the Master builder, our chaise
was instantly admitted within the gates, and the gentle-
man, whose name I do not recollect, being summoned,
immediately came and conducted us to his house, a spacious
and handsome building, where, ordering chocolate and
other refreshments, whilst they were preparing he gave
directions for different persons to be called, ordering them
to open the different warehouses and store houses. He-
then took us into every one of them, shewing us cordage,
sails, masts, yards, and a variety of articles appertaining
to ships of war, to the amount in value of near a million of
money. He then conducted us to a Ninety Gun ship
that had just been repaired and refitted, the magnitude
of which astonished us ; he next shewed us every part of
a Seventy Four that was upon the stocks building, and
explained the nature of the ways or slips by which she was
to be launched.

AT CHATHAM DOCKYARD 123

Having spent upwards of five hours in the most agree-
able manner surveying a thousand objects as novel as
they were interesting to us, we returned to the house
intending directly to get into the chaise, and proceed to
Gravesend, where I had ordered dinner, but our liberal
host would not hear of a departure, saying, without his
orders, no carriage would be suffered to draw up, for he
was lord paramount, in which capacity he commanded
us to stay and partake of his dinner, which would be
served in a few minutes. His manner was so hospitable, so
polite and engaging, that neither of the party had the least
wish to decline his proffered civility, and at five we sat
down to a table sumptuously covered, being joined by a
Captain of a man of war, and a fine youth of about eighteen,
the builder's son. A desert and excellent wines followed,
nor would he allow us to move until near eleven at night,
when we got into our carriage and returned to Gravesend,
very much pleased with our day's entertainment. Mr.
Douglas, who as commanding officer, was bound to sleep
on board his ship, then took his leave and went off. The
following morning, after breakfast, Fanny and I went back
to London*

CHAPTER XI

TO THE EAST AS A CADET

rnOWARDS the end of the month (November) by desire
JL of Mr. Coggan, I attended before a Committee of
Directors to undergo the usual examination as a cadet.
Being called into the Committee room after a waiting of
near two hours in the lobby, at which my pride was
greatly oSended, I saw three old Dons sitting close to the
fire, having by them a large table, with pens, ink, paper,
and a number of books lying upon it. Having surveyed
me, as I conceived, rather contemptuously, one of them
in such a snivelling strange tone that I could scarcely
understand him, said :

" Well, young gentleman, what is your age ? "

Having answered "Nineteen," he continued :

" Have you ever served, I mean been in the army ?
Though I presume from your age and appearance you
cannot."

I replied, " I had not. 55

" Can you go through the manual exercise ? "

" No, sir. 55

" Then you must take care and learn it,"

I bowed.

" You know the terms upon which you enter our service? "

"Yes, Sir. 53

" Are you satisfied therewith ? "

"Yes, Sir. 55

A Clerk who was writing at the table then told me 1
might withdraw, whereupon I made my conge and retired.
From the Committee room I went to Mr. Coggan's office,
who after making me sit down for near an hour, presented
me with my appointment as a cadet, also an order for me
to be received and accommodated with a passage to Madras

124

A PARTY FOR UNFORTUNATES 125

on board the Plassey. But another document, wholly
unexpected on my part, pleased me much more than
either of the others. This was a check upon the paymaster
for twenty guineas. Mr. Coggan, seeing my surprize,
and that I did not know the meaning of this draft, ob-
served that as it did not fall to the lot of every lad that
went to India as a cadet to have friends that could fit him
out for the voyage, the Company always supplied them
with twenty guineas to purchase bedding and other neces-
saries. As these articles were already provided, I thought
I could not dispose of the Honourable Company's donation
better than in the society of a few unfortunate females.
I therefore called upon one called Brent, and told her I was
desirous of getting half a dozen poor girls together, and
giving them a good meal, with their skins full of wine,
at the Shakespear the next day, asking her if she was
acquainted with any damsels to whom a dinner would be
acceptable.

" Oh, that I am," replied she, " with many who I am
afraid fast from not having the means of purchasing food/'
and she undertook to collect the party and order the dinner
in my name. At four o'clock the following day I marched
to the Shakespear, expecting to be the only male of the
party, when lo, I was ushered into a room where I found
my brother Henry, Tethrington, Major Nugent, Gilly
Mahon, and others, with a parcel of women, several of
whom I did not know. Upon my entrance there was a
shout, the men calling me " A Grand Turk," that I wanted a
Seraglio to myself, and much wit at my expense was sported.
The women however defended me and my good-natured
plan for the benefit of the distressed Sisterhood. I now
learnt that Brent had betrayed me by communicating my
intention to her male friends. They relished my scheme
exceedingly and resolved to carry it into effect upon a
more enlarged scale, and not at my sole charge. Dinner
being announced, I was, much against my inclination,
voted into the Chair, and Pris Vincent became my Vice,
and a more competent one to the situation never sat at a

126 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM MICKEY

table. Indeed, we both did justice to our stations ; nought
but harmony and good humour prevailed.

We sat to a late hour, but as I wished to avoid making a
Dutch feast of it, I acted with caution and kept tolerably
sober. I felt that the expense must far exceed the strength
of my purse, and not then being in the secret as to the
determination of my male friends, I slipped out of the room
to tell Tomkins I had not cash enough to pay his bill, but if
he would let me know the amount, the next day I would
discharge it. Whereupon he desired me not to give myself
any trouble on that account, for that he had cash in his
hands more than adequate to the payment of his bill,
even were the company to continue drinking for four and
twenty hours longer. He said he was glad to see me in so
different a party to that I had last been there with, alluding
to Williams's.

Rejoining the company, I observed to them that as I
had been forestalled in my object, I must at least apply
a part of my little fund for the relief of some unfortunate
female. Tomkins being summoned was asked whether he
knew of any one in distress, to which he answered he
had that very day received a letter from Lucy, Cooper,
who had long been a prisoner for debt in the Bong's Bench,
stating that she was almost naked and starving, without
a penny in her pocket to purchase food, raiment, or a coal
to warm herself. I instantly put down ten guineas,
and the gentlemen present also subscribing liberally,
fifty pounds were raised. This sum was put into Tomkins's
hands to forward to her. I had afterwards the satisfaction
of hearing that this seasonable aid had probably saved the
life of a deserving woman, who, in her prosperity, had done
a thousand generous actions.

At a late hour our party separated, Tethrington and
his set being engaged to a hazard table. I therefore
strolled to my old haunt, Wetherby's, where I had not
been since my lamentable Brag scene. Upon my en-
trance the whole room attacked me, expressing their sur-
prize at that night's exhibition, enquiring what I had

WHAT HAPPENED AT WETHEKBTS 127

done to myself, for that I was absolutely mad, and not
one of my favourites had the least influence over me ;
that they were all astonishment at seeing me who had
always been perfectly good humoured in my cups, so
entirely the reverse, and actually quite savage. Of course
I had nothing to say in my defence, not having the least
recollection of any one circumstance that passed, nor even
that I had been in the house, but it has often struck me
as very extraordinary that I, who was remarkable for my
jocularity and good temper when drunk, should that night
alone have been in the other extreme, and I have therefore
been induced firmly to believe that the infamous scoundrels
who plundered me of my money had also introduced some
poisonous drug or ingredient into the liquor I drank, that
caused a temporary insanity.

My brother Joseph wishing to see the ship I was to go in,
we took a post chaise and ran down to Gravesend. When
at the foot of Shooter's hill, my brother by the shadow upon
the ground, saw some person had mounted behind, which
from the hill being very steep, he did not approve of. He
therefore leaned out of the window, desiring a stout,
ferocious looking fellow that was seated there to get down.
The man, instead of doing so, with a volley of oaths
threatened my brother, saying, " If you don't keep your
head in, I'll cut your eye out." My brother's indigna-
tion being raised, he hastily called to the post-boy to
open the door and let him out, intending to thrash the
fellow for his insolence, as he (my brother) piqued himself
upon his skill in pugilism. The man, notwithstanding his
bulk and apparent strength, directly leaped down, at the
same time hailing some of his companions who were a little
way astern, with, " I say, messmates heave a head.
Damn my eyes if here is not a lousy, land lubber who wants
to bring us to action." My brother, although very
angry, did not think it prudent to encounter half a dozen.
He however expressed an earnest desire to discover who
the fellow was that he might cause him to be punished for
his insolence. In vain I argued that Jack (for he was evidently

128 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

a seaman) had done nothing but what was natural, and
should be laughed at.

We proceeded on our journey hearing no snore of the
men in our rear. As it was too late to go off to the
ship that afternoon, we went on board the next morning,
when the very first man I saw upon deck was our
Shooter's hill friend, but who I was rejoiced to find my
brother did not recognize. I found he was one of the
Quarter masters. He was afterwards of great use to mo
upon various occasions, slinging my cot, and doing any job
I wanted effected. I invariably found him to be a quiet,
civil, and obliging fellow. After we had been some weeks
at sea, I one day asked him if he recollected getting tip
behind a post chaise on Shooter's hill. " Oh, yes," said he,
" that I do, and that an ill-natured devil, in the inside
would not let me ride a bit.' 5

My father was now mostly at Richmond, at the house
of Mr. Grose, a friend of his, as since my mother's death he
could not bear Twickenham, and soon after I left England
he sold it to a Mr. Haldane.

In the beginning of December, a set of noblemen and
gentlemen of the Savoir vivre club proposed giving an
entertainment to His Danish Majesty, and suite, and a
Masquerade was determined on as likely to afford the greatest
novelty. The Opera house being engaged upon the occasion,
was magnificently fitted up. My father having procured
tickets, gave me one, and my sister Mary supplied me with
a domino, and other requisites. At ten at night my brother
Joseph and I got into Sedan chairs and were convoyed to
the Opera house, where we found an immense company
already assembled. The coup d'wil upon the first entrance
was the grandest and most sublime thing I had ever beheld.
This being the only masquerade that had taken place
for many years, every body was anxious to see it, and even
fifty guineas was offered by advertisement in the public
papers for a ticket. In a few minutes after us, the King
of Denmark and his party entered the theatre. He had
nothing dignified or majestic in his figure, but seemed

MASQUERADE AT THE OPERA HOUSE 129

affable and good humoured. The crowd being very great,
it became difficult to move. His Majesty however bustled
about, getting on by dint of elbowing. I had during the
night more than once the superlative honour of being
jostled and having my toes trod upon by a Crowned head,
His Royal elbows not appearing to me a bit less pointed
or rough in their application to my sides than would have
been those of the vilest plebeian. The Buffets, which
were numerous, were abundantly supplied with refresh-
ments of every kind, amongst them ices, and the choicest
fruits. At one o'clock the doors of the supper rooms
were thrown open, the tables of which were fancifully
decorated with emblematical figures complimentary to
the Royal Guest, and the whole supper was worthy of
the noble donors.

A little before the hour of supper, finding the heat
very oppressive, and seeing several persons had unmasked,
I did the same, soon after which I was laid hold of
by a Minerva, whom I at once discovered to be Fanny
Hartford. She had by the arm a gentleman in a rich
old English dress, to whom she immediately said, " This
is a young friend of mine that I must take care of."
The gentleman looking at me answered, " By all means."
She then whispered me that her companion was the Duke
of Grafton, one of the principal managers .and conductors of
the entertainment, and she desired me to stick close to
her. This I did, and was led into a private passage which
went to an apartment at the head of about a dozen steps,
in which was a table set out for the Duke's friends, and
from the front of which we had an admirable view of the
table at which the King was seated. His Majesty eat as
if he was hungry, looked with much complacency around,
and seemed highly gratified with the whole scene. After
supper dancing was resumed.

Between three and four o'clock some of the indefatigable
votaries to Bacchus, who had sacrificed too freely at the jolly
God's shrine, became very noisy and troublesome. Bottles
and glasses flew about in various directions, and some of the

130 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

most turbulent heroes came to fist) 5 " cuffs. At four, the King
departed, and the house began to thin. I continued till
near eight in the morning when I went home much pleased
with all I had seen. Going to my bed I slept soundly for
five hours, when I rose, dressed and drove in a hackney
coach to Hartford's, with whom I dined, and at night
accompanied her to Covent Garden play house. The
following morning she took me in her carriage to the
India house, and Jerusalem Coffee house. At the latter
I met Captain Waddell, who told me he had just taken
leave of the Court of Directors, and that I ought to send,
my chest down to the ship as soon as possible, and be on
board myself by that day week. Upon my return homo
therefore I had my clothes all packed, and two days after
despatched the same, together with a case of foreign
liqueurs which I had bought at an Italian warehouse in
the Haymarket at the price of sixteen guineas, by a Grave-
send boy down to the Plassey. I then wroto to inform my
father what Captain Waddell had said, in consequence of
which he came to town, and we again visited Mr. Sullivan,
who gave me letters to his Asiatic friends, as did Colonel
Maclean, Sir Charles Sheffield, Admirals Sir Samuel Cornish
and Sir George Pocock, also the Burke family, and others
of my father's acquaintances.

I now heard, and with much pleasure, that a young
London friend, Richard Bourchier, a nephew of the Gover-
nor of Madras, was going out a Cadet on board the Plassvy,
a circumstance we were mutually glad of. He \va a am art
fellow, about a year older than myself, and like me had
been somewhat profuse and dissipated, which made his
family think it prudent to send him out of England, for
a short time at least, in order to get quit of a set of dissolute
companions to whom he had attached himself. He had
been educated in the Surgical line, and was a pupil of the
famous Gataker. Bourchier and I agreed to depart for
Graveaend on the 1 8th. Having therefore only four days
left, my time was fully occupied in bidding adieus to friends
of all description, male and female. My parting with

TAKES LEAVE OF HIS FRIENDS 131

Fanny Hartford was a distressing scene and caused many
tears from each of us. She presented me with an elegant
tooth pick case, having an admirable miniature likeness
of her on the inside of the lid, as a keep-sake.

On the 17th in the morning, I went to take leave of my
Uncle Boulton at Coleherne, and of his family. I certainly
expected a present of at least fifty guineas, as he was
very rich, and in all probability would never see me more.
He was liberal enough in his advice. After touching pretty
forcibly upon the evil courses I had long pursued, and the
consequent distress of mind to my father, he reminded
me that as I was now going into the world it behoved
me to act very differently to what I had done, and constantly
to bear in recollection what an indulgent father I had
and how handsomely and expensively he had equipped
me. He ended his lecture by putting into my hand five
guineas ! which I felt a great inclination to return to him,
but curbing my indignation, I coolly turned from him,
saluted my aunt and cousins, and left the house. In
passing the outer gate, which a man servant opened for
me, I put the five guineas into his hand, saying I was sure
my uncle had intended that amount for him. The man
looked surprized, but bowed low, wishing me health and
happiness. Upon my return home I fairly related to my
father all that had passed, and how I had disposed of the
paltry present, of which he highly approved, calling my
said uncle a mean and contemptible scoundrel.

That day, being our last in London, Dick Bourchier
and I agreed to dine together. He collected three other
jovial bucks and had a pleasant party at the Shakespear.
At night we went the rounds of Covent Garden and Drury
Lane, and did not retire to our beds until after daylight
the following morning. Bourchier came to breakfast in
St. Albans Street, a post chaise having previously been
ordered to bo at the door by noon to convey us to Dart-
ford on our way to the ship. Breakfast being over, my
father took mo into his study, where after fervently re-
commending me to the care of a protecting providence,

132 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

be gave me a beautiful Fusee, which cost him forty guineas,
a pair of pistols of exquisite workmanship, and a purse
containing fifty guineas in cash and a twenty five pounds
Bank note.

About half past twelve we took our seats in the chaise,
both sadly dejected at thus leaving all that was dear
behind us, and in all likelihood taking a last adieu of
our native City. For the first ten miles we exchanged
not a word, each being deeply wrapt in thought, but by
the time we reached Dartford, where we changed horses,
we became more reconciled to our fate, and began to con-
verse a little. Between four and five we arrived at Graves-
end, and drove to the Falcon, which, being crowded with
guests, they crammed us into a miserable little hole of
a room so enveloped in smoke we could scarce see the
candles they placed upon a table. In a couple of hours
they brought an abominable ill dressed dinner. In short
every thing was so disgustingly bad that I proposed to
Bourchier going back to Dartford to sleep, which a waiter
hearing, who had recognized me from having been there
twice before, he very civilly said the house had been un-
usually full all day, but that a party would in a few minutes
leave one of the best rooms which, although already promised,
he would secure for us. He kept his word, soon shewing
us into the room Fanny and I had occupied, where, putting
wax candles upon the table, and bringing a magnum bonum
of very palatable claret which I ordered, we became re-
conciled to the house. Having finished our wine, we went
to the public billiard table, where we found a motley
collection of people. After looking at the players for an
hour, we returned to our Inn, eat a few oysters, and went
to bed. The next day being the 19th, we hired a boat
and went on board the Plassey to ascertain where our cots
were to be hung. We found Captain Waddell in the Cuddy,
who said the ship would not move for a couple of days.
He pressed us to stay dinner, which we declined having
ordered one on shore. Mr. Douglas was very attentive and
shewed us our berth, which was spacious and airy, being two

THE SHIP'S COMPANY 183

thirds of the great cabin. He however told us that another
young gentleman, named Chapman, who was going out as a
cadet, would have his cot also in the same place, to which
no possible objection could be made, there being abundant
room. The ship was in so lumbered a state we could
scarcely crawl into the great cabin, and the quarter deck
was covered with packages, but all these Douglas assured
me would be cleared away prior to leaving Gravesond.

On the 20th Mr. Jacob Rider came down, and introduced
himself upon hearing we were going out in the Plassey,
which ship he su-id he should likewise embark on, returning
to Bengal as a Factor. He dined with us, and we were
much pleased with his manners. In the evening he ordered
a chaise? and four to convey him the first stage towards
London, at which I observed we were to sail the following,
or at farthest, the second day, as Captain Waddell had in-
formed me. Mr. Rider replied that he was to have charge
of the Company's final dispatches, and should travel by
land with them to Deal, from which place he should go on
board.

The next day Captain Waddcll sent to desire we would
come oiT, as the pilot intended to break ground at high
water. We accordingly took, as J thought it would be,
our last leave of British ground and proceeded to the ship,
where we found an excellent dinner just set upon the table,
clean, neat, and looking remarkably well cooked, and we
were agreeably surprized by being told we should have as
good a dinner as we then saw before us every day during
our voyage, which certainly was the case. Our party
in the Cuddy then consisted of Captain Waddoll, Samuel
Rogers, chief officer, Charles Chisholme, second, Peter
Douglas third, Walter (Jowdie, Surgeon, Richard Jones,
Purser, James Grunt, a writer for Bengal, Mr. Forbes,
an Assistant Surgeon for the same place ; Mr. Demi Court,
also a Surgeon, .... Chapman, a cadet for Madras, Dick
Bourchier and myself. The fourth mate's name waa
Williams, the fifth, Thompson, and the sixth, Lane. At
the mates' mess there was a Madras Cadet, named Ross,

134 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

a man at least forty years of age, who bad been a Captain
in the King's service, but reduced to such distress as to be
obliged to sell his Commission and accept a Cadetship
in the Company's service. With the Midshipmen there
messed another Cadet, a tall, raw boned, lank Scotch lad
of seventeen, named Smith, and these, with Mr. Rider,
were the whole of the passengers. In the afternoon we un-
moored, but a fresh Easterly wind blowing, we only kedged
down to the bottom of Gravesend reach. The 22nd the
wind continuing in the East we made little progress, the
23rd we got below the Nore, when the ship beginning to
pitch, I became desperately sick, could neither eat, drink,
nor sleep, and continued in that horrid state, expecting every
hour would be my last, until the 25th (Christmas Day)
when Mr. Douglas came into the cabin to tell me we were
at an anchor in Margate roads, it blowing strong from the
Eastward, which, as long as it continued, would keep us
there ; that there was a boat coming off by which, if I
chose it, I might go on shore, and proceed to Deal by land.
The instant I heard this I jumped out of my cot, ill as I
was, dressed myself and went upon deck.

This was the first view I had ever had of a boisterous
ocean, and dreadful did it appear. The ship was in
violent motion, and a large Margate boat that had just
come alongside, was by the swell thrown up level with
the gunwale and the next moment sunk into the abyss
below. It was horrible to behold. The boatmen asking
if any one wanted to go on shore, I eagerly answered,
les, I did very much." Whereupon Captain Waddell
who was upon deck, advised me to stay where I was
and getting the sea sickness over, which it probably would
be in another day, whereas if I landed it would be re-
newed when I again came on board. I was however so
wretchedly ill that I resolved to land, although I knew not
how I should possibly contrive to get into the boat from
the high sea that was running. Bourchier and Grant
who were nearly as bad as myself, also agreed to go on
shore, so getting a few shirts, &c., in a trunk, we by

CHRISTMAS DINNER AT MARGATE 185

the kind assistance of the officers and sailors, managed to
goat ourselves in the boat where I had not been a minute
ere the mc.kneas entirely left me, notwithstanding the quick
and violent motion. Not so my companions, wifh whom
the evil increased.

leaving the Pla&scy, we darted on at a prodigious rate,
and in about an hour stepped ashore within the Pier, and
in live minutes were placed by a clear fire in a comfort-
able room at the Inn then kept by Michinor. Here we
oat our Christmas dinner, took a moderate share of port,
and at an early hour went to our beds, in order to make
up for two sleepless nights we had passed on board. In
the morning we found that the wind had veered round
to the N.W. and the ships were weighing their anchors
to go round the North Foreland into the Downs. Having
breakfasted, wo ordered a post chaise in which we drove
to the Three Kings at Deal, The Plassey came to in the
Downs in the afternoon, immediately after which it began
to blow strong from the Westward. We amused ourselves
running about the country to different places.

On the 28th Bourchier proposed our accompanying him
to Dover to visit a relation of his, Captain Pritty, who com-
manded one of the Government packets that sailed between
Calais and Dover. This gentleman's house we accordingly
drove to ; he insisted upon our staying to dinner, entertain-
ing us most hospitably. Upon our going away at night, he
made us promise to eat our New Year's dinner with him,
winch we were all three willing enough to do, provided we
remained till then on shore. He then assured us we should
have a westerly wind for a week longer, when the moon
changed, and should the Fleet sail during our absence
ho would himself put us on board in a cutter of his own.

The 3 1st Mr. Eider came down with the Company's
after packet, bringing with him a smart girl, and his
brother, John Eider. In the morning of the 1st of January
17 69, the latter gentleman came into the room in which
we were sitting to ask if either of us was disposed to take
a trip to France ; that there was a nice little smuggler just

136 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

about to run over to Boulogne, the Master of which en-
gaged to convey him over and bring him back to Deal
within thirty hours. Finding no one disposed to join him,
he went alone, whilst we got into a chaise to attend our
engagement at Dover. The former visit had been unex-
pected, yet we were well pleased with our reception and
fare, but this time the entertainment was capital, an
admirable dinner, and the best wines of all sorts. Captain
Pritty had got some of his marine friends to join us, who
proving jolly fellows, we had by nine o'clock swallowed
a considerable quantity, and prudence whispered me it
was time to think of moving, which I soon after proposed,
whereupon, our host, who was tolerably drunk, called me,
" a slip slop, moll dawdling boy. Damn me," continued he,
cc if ever I saw such milk sop poor devils as ye are. What's
got into the present race ! There is not an ounce of proper
spirit about them. Gad so, when I was of your age, I'd
as soon have hung myself as lost a week in that sink,
Deal. No, Damn me, I'd have run up to Lunnun, and
at least had a night on't, but you wishy washy soft
masters fresh from mammy's apron strings have no nous.
Damn me, there's nothing in ye, no, nothing in ye." He
then called for a fresh batch of champagne, whilst drinking
which I was considering what he had said, and thought the
London trip a monstrous good idea, declaring myself ready
to adopt it. Bourchier said the same, but Grant pro-
fessed his fears, and that he dare not venture, which ex-
cited Captain Pritty's wrath. Ringing the bell, I desired
the servant to order a chaise and four for Canterbury, but
to that one of the tars present objected with, " Avast
heaving upon that rope, my tight one it is a cruel dark
night, and you'll not be able to carry sail mount a couple
of nags, take a pilot to run ahead and steer the proper
course, and you'll be at Canterbury in no time."

This morsel of eloquence receiving the approbation of
our host, horses and a guide were ordered. At eleven we
mounted, Captain Pritty desiring us to keep a good look
out (though it was dark as pitch) and if the wind shifted

THE RIDE TO CANTERBURY 13T

to bear away for Ms port with all the sail we could crowd,
and he'd ship us. With this caution oS we set as hard as
we could pelt, leaving Grant to return to Deal alone. Our
guide led the way in great style ; we got on famously, and
with only one little stoppage occasioned by my poor Bozi-
naute coming down heels over head,. Away I flew like
a shot, my greatest danger arising from Bourchicr, who
waw clone behind, riding over me as I lay extended in the
mud. This fortunately did not happen, and my quiet
boast Btanding stock still where he recovered his legs, I
remounted without the slightest injury, the whole perform-
ance not having occupied live minutes.

We reached Canterbury at half past twelve, where,
dismiKKing our Dover guide, we took a post chaise and four,
and thus daahed on towards London, which we reached
before nine in the morning, driving straight to Malby's,
where we eat a hearty breakfast, the exercise having
carried off the fumes of Captain Pritty's dose of wine. We
then went to bod intending to sleep two or three hours, but
as I found my mind too much employed to expect sleep
I almost immediately arose, dispatching a porter for Brent,
who was soon with me, all astonishment at my return.
(Jetting into a hackney coach with her, after ordering
dinner, I sallied forth, calling upon Tethrington, and two
or three other friends, all of whom quite alarmed me by their
grave remarks upon this ill judged journey, and the risk
I ran of losing my passage. This deterred me from visiting
Queen Ann Street, as I intended, for I knew how much
Fanny would have blamed me, and I did not choose to
make her uneasy.

At two Brent and T returned to Malby's, Bourchier was
out, but returned half an hour after us, and we three sat
down to dinner. In the evening we went to one of the
most retired upper boxes of Covent Garden Theatre, but
the anxiety Bourchier and myself were under did away with
every idea of pleasure, and before the play was over we left
the, house, took some hot jellies and retired to bed, having
previously ordered a chaise to be at the door precisely

138 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

at eight in the morning. I had a wretched night, and not
having had any sleep the night before, I became feverish, and
Brent very uneasy about me. Towards morning I fell asleep,
and she would not allow me to be disturbed when the chaise
came until Bourchier, half crazy with alarm, at eleven
waked me. I then rose much refreshed, and we got into
the chaise a little before twelve. By paying the post
boys well we went on rapidly to Sittingbourne, where we
were detained near two hours for want of horses, so that
it was past ten when we reached Canterbury, where we
intended to sup, not having had any refreshment since
we left London. Upon entering the Fountain Inn, I asked
the landlord how the wind was, to which he answered,
" I suspect from the clearness of the sky, Easterly." Where-
upon Bourchier instantly cried out, " Zounds I then give
us a chaise instantly for Dover." Our host then said,
" I am not certain about the wind, but will ascertain it in
two minutes, having a weather cock at the top of the
house." He accordingly ascended, and soon came back
with the comfortable tidings that there was very little
wind, but what there was, Westerly. We therefore ordered
supper, and after eating it went to bed.

CHAPTER XII

ON JBOAHI) THE PLAMBY

THE moment day light appeared we proceeded to Deal,
having a fine bright sunshine. When at the top of a
hill about five miles from Deal, commanding a prospect of
the Downs, we saw tho ships, as we supposed, under full sail,
and dreadfully frightened thereat, directed the postilions
to go to Dover instead of Deal, as tho ships were going away,
when one of the boys conversant with maritime matters, said,
u The fleet are fast at an anchor, and must remain so while
the wind continues as it now is, 8outh west. They have
only loosed their sails to dry after the rain of yesterday,"
This was very consolatory, and we went on our way to
Deal. Arriving at the Three Kings we received the con-
gratulations of Mr. Rider upon our return, for having heard
from Grant that we wen? gone to London, he thought
we must inevitably lose our passage.

Upon entering the sitting room, the first object that met
my eyes was Mr. John Rider, HO metamorphosed that until
he spoke, 1 knew him not. Ho had returned from his
.French excursion about an hour before we arrived. Instead
of the plain brown cloth Bint we had last seen him in, with
unpowdered hair and a single curl, wo now beheld a furiously
powdered and pomatumed head with six curb on each side,
a little skimming diwh of a hat, the brim not four inches
deeptwo inches of it eovered with flilver lace and im-
nimsely wide in front. His coat wan of a thiek silk, the
colour sky blue, arid lined with crimson satin, the waistcoat
atul breeches also of crimson satin, coat and waistcoat
being bedizened with a tawdry spangle lace. The cut too
was entirely different from any thing we had Been, having
a remarkable long waist to the coat with scarce any skirts,
lie was a little fat squab of a man, which made his appear-

139

140 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

ance the more extraordinary. Altogether, so grotesque a
figure I never beheld, and we had a hearty laugh at him.
This suit he assured us was the latest and veritable Parisian
fashion ; he had it made up during the few hours he re-
mained at Boulogne. The hat he purchased at Calais
where they put in, and where his head was made a la regie.
The hat was said to have been introduced by the Due de
Nivernois, French Ambassador at the British Court, and
was therefore distinguished by the name of " Chapeau
Nivernois." I thought his habiliments preposterous and
ugly, except the hat, which appeared becoming, and I gave
that as my opinion, whereupon he (John Rider) told me
the master of the vessel had purchased some of them upon
speculation, and if I chose it he would purchase one for
me. This I requested him to do, and I thus obtained a
" Nivernois " even more outre than Rider's, and which
was afterwards the cause of great mirth at Madras. Mr.
Jacob Rider was quite delighted with the whole of the French
dress, telling his brother that he must let him have it to
make the people stare in Bengal, and he actually made John
strip, and had the suit put into his own trunk, the height
and form of the two brothers being exactly similar.

We had passed a very merry day, and were just talking
of going to bed when we heard a gun fired, and soon after
several others from different ships in the Downs. A Deal
man coming in told us the wind had suddenly gone to the
North East, and the Fleet were getting under weigh. In-
stead therefore of retiring to our comfortable beds, we were
obliged to prepare for embarking. In a few minutes the
house was all hurry and confusion paying bills, packing
trunks, &c., &c. I had luckily a week before engaged
with a boatman for one guinea to put me on board the
Plassey whenever a signal for sailing was made, be the
weather what it might, for which some of my shipmates
laughed at me as being more than was necessary, a crown
being the usual price. I now found that I had acted wisely,
for as it was a bleak night, blowing smartly, with snow,
the boat people would not receive a soul under three

THE FLEET OF EAST INDIAMEN 141

guineas each, and some even paid five. The man I had
engaged with behaved honourably, coming to shew me to
his boat, taking Bourchier with me. At half past one in the
morning of the 4th of January 1769, we got into the Boat,
and reached the Plassey in perfect safety. Giving the people
three guineas for myself and Bourchier, they were well
satisfied. I immediately got into my cot ; the sea being
smooth and the wind right aft, I slept tolerably well till
eight o'clock in the morning, when I awoke rather qualmish,
but dressing and going upon deck, the sharp air re-
covered me.

I heard upon enquiry that we were below Dungeness,
and that the East Indiamen in company were, the Pigot,
Captain Richardson ; Triton, Honourable Captain Elphin-
stone ; Hector, Captain Williams ; Nottingham, Captain
Stokes ; Ashburnham, Captain Pearce ; Earl of Lincoln,
Captain Hardwicke ; Hampshire, Captain Smith ; Crutten-
den, Captain Baker ; Osterley, Captain Welch ; Speaker,
Captain Todd ; Royal Charlotte, Captain Clements ; Glat-
ton, Captain Doveton, and the SpeJce, Captain Jackson,
besides a great number of vessels bound to the West Indies,
America, and different parts of the world, the whole Fleet
forming to me who had never before beheld any thing of
the kind a grand and interesting spectacle.

Being summoned to the Cuddy to breakfast, I had not
been there five minutes when I turned deadly sick, was
obliged to retire to my cot, from whence I scarcely stirred
for ten days, during which I was in a very lamentable con-
dition, straining so violently from having nothing in my
stomach to throw up that I often thought I must, like my
poor mother, die upon the ocean. Mr. Gowdie, the Surgeon,
afterwards told me he for several days had been under
serious alarm about me, considering me in imminent danger
of bursting a blood vessel.

We had tempestuous weather through the Bay of
Biscay, with a prodigious sea, but the wind being fair,
our progress was rapid, of which the officers frequently
told me by way of comfort, but so ill was I that it

142 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

was actually indifferent to me what became of the ship,
and I should I verily believe have heard with com-
posure that she was sinking. This continued until we
reached the Canaries, when Mr. Rogers, the Chief mate,
came into my cabin one morning soon after day broke,
desiring I would get up and go upon deck to see the land,
to which I replied, as I really thought was the case, that
I had not strength left to enable me to do so. Whereupon
Rogers, (a rough, vulgar, swearing seaman, but as good a
creature as ever lived) said, " Pooh ! pooh ! Damn my
eyes ! " (a common phrase of his upon all occasions) " What
blasted stuff and nonsense is this ! Do you want to lay there
and die ? Come, come, get up, I say, and draw a mouthful
of fresh air, which will cure you." Finding I did not seem
disposed to take his advice, he without further ceremony
cast off the lanyards of my cot, and down it came. I there-
fore had nothing left but to try and put on my clothes,
Rogers sending his servant to assist me, and returning him-
self to help me upon deck, where, on my arrival, a sublime
scene presented itself to my sight. We were close in shore,
under the Island of Teneriff e. The sun, which had not risen
to us, was shining upon the upper part of the Peak, giving
the most luxuriant tints to the snow capped summit of
that stupendous mountain, and varying the colours as its
light descended until the glorious orb appeared above our
horizon, when a thousand new beauties of nature were
displayed. The sea was serene and smooth as a looking
glass. This I believe I may pronounce the first time I ever
saw the sun rise except over the tops of houses in the smoky
atmosphere of London. I continued upon deck, looking
at the land as we gradually glided on until dinner was an-
nounced, when I entered the Cuddy, eat near half of a
boiled fowl, drank a pint of wine, and felt quite renovated.
From that hour my sickness ceased, and I began to enjoy
myself ; I entered into all the fun and joined in afl the
tricks that went forward in the ship.

Captain Waddell, then about fortjr years of age, naturally
grave, with an appearance of shyness or reserve, possessed

THE CAPTAIN OF THE PLASSEY 143

one of the mildest and most equal tempers that ever man
was blessed with, nor did I during a voyage out and home
which I made in his ship, ever once see him angry, or hear
him utter a single oath or hasty expression. He loved to
sot the young people at some gambol or other, and was con-
stantly promoting it. He was himself wonderfully active
and strong, amongst various proofs of which, he did one feat
that amazed the whole ship's company, and which I never
knew any other person come at all near. It was this :
Standing upon the Quarter deck, under the main shroud
he laid hold of the first ratline with his right hand, then
sprung to the second, with his left, and so on alternately,
right and left, up to the last, close to the Futtock shrouds.
The exertion in accomplishing this must have been pro-
digious, nor was there another man in the ship, and we had
many fine, active fellows on board, that could get beyond
the third ratline, and only two that reached even the third.
Having recovered my health, I mixed with all my ship-
mates. I have already spoken generally of the Commander,
and the Chief mate, the latter of whom from some peculiari-
ties was called " Black Sam " and " Blackguard Sam," the
first owing to his complexion being very dark. He was by
birth an American, the second title he certainly merited,
being uncommonly rough. He never uttered a sentence
without embellishing it with oaths, "Damn my eyes,"
always uppermost, and he chewed tobacco in large quanti-
ties, yet, as before observed, there never existed a better
hearted man, or a more zealous friend. In his profession he
could not be surpassed. The second officer, Chisholme, a
proud Scotchman, was a handsome fellow, upwards of six
feet high, and a perfect seaman. His family were pro-
prietors of a valuable estate in the West Indies, in the
marine trade of which ho had learnt his business. He had
received an excellent education prior to going to sea ; he
\va fond of argument, in which he often shewed great
positiveness, and even insolence, yet he had candour enough
to admit that such a mode of supporting an opinion was
unbecoming and improper, adding, he had always been a

144 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

spoilt child. This was only his second voyage to the East,
and he used to boast that his interest would procure him
the command of one of the Company's ships upon his
return. Douglas, whom I have also mentioned as third
officer, was remarkably dressy, so much so, as to be dis-
tinguished in the service by the title of " Count Douglas,"
but although he laid out more money upon his person than
was usual with men in his station, no one kept a stricter
look out after the main chance than he did, well knowing
how to make the most of every shilling and let pass no
opportunity of doing so. His cabin, as I before observed,
was elegance itself. His person was pretty good, but his
features hideous, so ugly it would have been no easy matter
to caricature it. In fact, it was more the face of a baboon
than a human creature, notwithstanding which, so un-
acquainted was he with his own countenance, or so eat up
with vanity, that he thought every woman that beheld
him must unavoidably fall in love with him. His address
was certainly that of a gentleman, and man of the world.
He was from the first very attentive and civil to me, desiring
whenever I wanted to write, or wished to be alone, that I
would make use of his cabin, he also gave me the key of
his book case that I might supply myself with any books
I pleased. He likewise was a Scotchman, as was Mr.
Gowdie, our Surgeon, a plain, unaSected, good natured
man, considered skilful in his line, who had been several
voyages Surgeon of an East Indiaman. Jones, the purser, was
one of those common characters one meets with every day.

Mr. Jacob Rider, with whom I formed a friendship
that continued uninterrupted through life, had been sent
out a writer to Bengal in the year 1763. His family were
connected by marriage with a branch of Lord Olive's, which
nobleman, upon going to Bengal as Governor in 1764,
made Rider's interest one of his first objects, giving him
the appointment of Paymaster General to the army, a
situation that in those days would have yielded him an
overgrown fortune in a few years, but unfortunately for
Eider in about six months after he filled that advantageous

A GOOD APPOINTMENT LOST 145

post a dispute arose between Lord Olive and the officers of
the army, occasioned by a measure of his Lordship's which
they deemed unjust and tyrannical, in which however
Lord Olive persisting, the officers drew up a remonstrance
couched in terms not only disrespectful, but little short of
the language of mutiny. Aware of the consequences likely
to ensue thereon, they adopted a practice then used in
the Navy, signing their names in a circle, or what sailors
called " a round Kobin " to avoid any individuals being
singled out for punishment. In this instance the scheme
did not succeed, for Lord Olive could give a tolerable
guess who were the ringleaders, and accordingly dismissed
a number of officers from the service, amongst whom were
Mr. Eumbold, afterwards Governor of Madras, and Mr.
Stables, a Supreme Councillor in Bengal, at that time both
Captains in the Army. In looking over the names sub-
scribed to the remonstrance, Lord Olive noticed that of
" Jacob Rider " and immediately said to his Secretary,
" Who is this Eider ? I don't recollect an officer of that
name." The Secretary, who had ascertained the fact,
replied, " My Lord, it is the Paymaster General." " The
Paymaster General," (exclaimed his Lordship), " what can
have induced the blockhead to lend his name to such an
inflammatory, unjustifiable paper, with the subject matter
of which he could not in any manner be affected.
However, let him abide the consequences of such absurd
conduct," and he gave orders forthwith to recall Eider,
appointing another person in his stead, and upon his
arrival at the Presidency, sent him on board a ship bound
for England, declaring he never should be restored to the
service. Thus dearly did Eider pay for ridiculously en*
gaging in a controversy with which he ought not to have
had any tiling to do.

When Lord Olive returned to Europe he was applied to on
behalf of the ci devant Paymaster, but refused to see him
or have any thing to say to him. He however, after some
time, so far relented as to say that though he never would
befriend Mr. Eider again, lie would not oppose his restora-

146 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

tion to the service. Rider had personal influence enough
to get that point carried, and was returning with his rank
(a Factor) when I met him in the Plassey, on board which
ship he had a third of the great cabin, in which apartment,
or in Douglas's, I passed most of the mornings.

Eider had with him an enormous dog of the Newfound-
land breed, who soon attached himself so much to me
that I could not stir without his being close after me. His
name was Beau, and a noble animal he was. Of poor
Beau more hereafter.

Early in the voyage I thought there was at all times a
great coolness in the manner of Mr. Chisholme towards
Captain Waddell, which the more surprized me because the
Commander's behaviour to him was polite and civil as
could be. Happening one morning to mention the subject
to Eider, he at once explained the matter thus : The Plassey
belonged almost wholly to Mr. John Durand, a man who had
acquired a large fortune in the command of a Country ship I
by trading between the different ports and places in the
Eastern Ocean. He was therefore the managing owner or
what is technically called "Ship's husband," in which
capacity the nomination or at least approbation of all the
officers rested with him. Captain Waddell had succeeded
to the command of the Plasszy upon the death of her
Commander at Bencoolen, thereby becoming what was
called by the wags of those days " One of God Almighty's
Captains." As such he conducted the ship home, Eogers,
who had been second mate, thus rising to Chief, and Douglas,
late third, to second. Upon their arrival in England, Mr.
Durand, who was well acquainted with the superior quali-
fications and merits of Waddell as a navigator and seaman,
directly and voluntarily confirmed him in the command
of the ship. Captain Waddell thereupon called upon Mr.
Durand to thank him, at the same time asking whether
he had any person to whom he meant to give the situations

1 Sometimes English ships are referred to by Hiokey as " Country "
ships, but occasionally h applies the same description to those of the
country in which he may happen to be. Ed.

THE CAPTAIN'S SENSE OF JUSTICE 147

of Chief and second mates, as, if not, he much wished to
continue his present officers, Messrs. Eogers and Douglas.
Durand without hesitation replied he knew the characters
of both those gentlemen very well and was happy to con-
firm them in the situations of chief and second mates.
Captain Waddell of course communicated this circum-
stance to Rogers and Douglas, who in consequence did not
look out for other employ.

In due course the Plassey was taken up for a voyage
to Madras and China, Rogers and Douglas acting for
several weeks as Chief and second officers, and a
day was appointed for them to attend at the India
house to be sworn in to their respective situations
according to the usual course of the service, two days prior
to which intended examination Durand wrote to Captain
Waddcll to say he should be under the necessity of putting
in a new second officer, and would endeavour to provide
otherwise for Douglas. Captain Waddoll, equally surprized
and hurt, directly went to Duraaid, and stated the cruelty
and injustice of such a measure to Mr. Douglas, an officer
of acknowledged abilities, who had since the ship came
afloat been doing the duty of second and had actually
refused a second male's berth in a ship then departed, from
attachment to the Flnssey in which he had been three
voyages. Durand admitted the hardship upon Douglas,
but wiicl he was so peculiarly circumstanced the act became
unavoidable, as he had been applied to from a quarter of so
much weight, such importance to his own interest, for a
second mate's situation, ho could not refuse it even had he
been obliged to turn out his own son. Captain Waddell
thereupon observed that his (Durand's) interest was no
apology or justification for a breach of faith; that Mr.
.Douglas had acted in the situation with his sanction, and
continue it ho must. Durand with groat hauteur replied
lie should not, and they parted in great anger.

On the day appointed, Captain Waddell was sworn into
the command of t he ship, Mr. Rogers as Chief Mate, and Mr.
Chwholmc was called in for the same purpose as second, when

148 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

Captain Waddell immediately objected to Chisholme, assign-
ing his reason, and stating all that had passed. The Directors
were quite nonplussed, for Durand had such influence with
most of them that they wished to gratify him, yet the stub-
born facts related by Captain Waddell made them feel
ashamed publicly to be guilty of the flagrant injustice.
They therefore adjourned without swearing any second.
In the interval between that and the next Court clay several
of the Directors endeavoured to persuade Captain Waddell
to concede the point to Durand, but they knew not the
man they had to deal with. Convinced he was right, nothing
could make him deviate. He observed to the applicants
that it undoubtedly was in Mr. Durand's power to deprive
him of the command of the ship, and equally so in that of the
Court of Directors if they thought fit, but that it was out of
the power of any man or set of men living to make him com-
mit a base or unjust action, which in his opinion putting
Mr. Chisholme into Douglas's place would be, and therefore
no consideration on earth should induce him to consent to it.
Finding Captain Waddell was not to be brought over,
Durand's friends attacked Douglas, recommending his
interference with the Captain to prevail on him to receive
Chisholme, and let him (Douglas) go third. But this
Douglas very properly refused. The contest ended by
Chisholme's being sworn in, not only against the Captain's
will, but without his accepting him the only instance of
the kind that ever occurred in the service yet Captain
Waddell, conscious that no personal blame attached to
Chisholme in the transaction, never betrayed the slightest
resentment towards him, treating him at all times with the
utmost respect and kindncKS. Cliiwholmc however, not
possessing the same independent and manly spirit, nor the
same liberal sentiments as Captain Waddell, felt awkward
at knowing he had been thus forced upon him, and it
occasioned in him a constant and continued shyness and
reserve towards his Commander. Mr. Douglas having
been thus ill treated by Durand, and the Court of Directors,
Captain Waddell thought it his duty to make him every

FLYING FISH AND DOLPHINS 149

compensation in his power. He therefore put Ms officers
upon three watches instead of two, as was usual., giving the
command of the third watch to Douglas. He also allotted
him a much larger space than he was entitled to for his
cabin, gave him a seat at his table, and in short shewed him
every indulgence in his power.

The Plassey was a remarkably fast sailer, from which she
had acquired the name of " The Fl}ing Plassey.' 5 In running
down the British Channel we beat all the Fleet, and, as I
was informed, by the time we were abreast the Land's end*
the whole of them were out of sight astern.

Nothing surprized me so much as the flying fish. I had
heard of such fish, but considered it as a mere joke until
immense shoals of them appeared, several at different times
flying against the sails and dropping upon deck, which
afforded us an opportunity of inspecting them closely and
examining the form and texture of the wings. It is a
curious circumstance, and almost induces a belief that
providence has dealt unjustly by this little creature, for
although the peculiarity of wings seems to have been
furnished them as a protection, and that they have the
power of using them while any moisture remains, and so as
to carry them eight hundred or a thousand yards upon a
stretch, yet their principal enemies and pursuers, the
dolphin, which is a very rapid swimming fish, keep their
eye upon and proceed exactly under them while flying,
and the instant they touch the sea to re-wet their wings,
snap them up by hundreds. They have, too, another
set of equally implacable and active enemies in the air,
various aquatic birds pursuing and eating them up during
their short flights, and thus they run equal risk of destruc-
tion in both elements.

Passing the Canary Islands, the next land we saw was the
Cape De Verds, through the cluster of which, forming a very
pleasant sight, we ran in smooth water and fine weather.
When drawing near the line, we had for several days and nights
successively tremendous thunder and lightning, such as we
landsmen had never before beheld, and, when little wind t

150 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

a number of sharks followed close to the ship. These fish
being near a ship, seamen, who are generally superstitious,
deem a bad sign, and to portend death on board. Whether
this idea be well founded or not, I cannot take upon me
to say, but certain it is that during the attendance of at
least a dozen sharks, we lost a man, and one of no small
consequence, being no less a personage than the Captain's
cook, who being seized with a fever, was carried off by it
within thirty hours. His death however, did not prove
so serious a loss as we were at first apprehensive it would,
Mr. Chisholme having a Caffree servant who had been taught
to dress turtle in the West Indies, and afterwards attended
the kitchens of some of the most celebrated taverns in
London, which had cost his Master upwards of fifty
guineas. He undoubtedly was an admirable cook.

Upon crossing the line, all those who had never done so
before paid the customary forfeit of a gallon of rum to the
ship's crew, except Mr. Smith the Scotch Cadet, who not
being over stocked with money to purchase the spirits,
preferred submitting to the ceremony of ducking and
shaving, which he went through to our infinite amuse-
ment.

There was nothing I felt the want of so much as bread,
for in those days it was not customary to make that article
on board East Indiamen, and it unluckily happened that
the biscuit was uncommonly bad and flinty, so that it was
with difficulty I could penetrate it with my teeth. This
being the subject of conversation one day at table, a question
arose as to the time in which a person might eat one of
these biscuits, which ended in a wager of five guineas
between Rider and Grant, the former laying the latter that
he did not get rid of one by his teeth in four minutes. He
was to have no liquid to aid him. A bag of biscuits being
brought to table, the Doctor by mutual consent put his
hand in and brought out one, which was to be that of trial.
Chance here operated against Grant, for it proved an un-
commonly hard one, and he had difficulty in breaking it in
two. A watch being laid upon the table, at it he went

BACKING THE SHIP'S BISCUIT 151

with, a set of remarkably strong teeth, but strong as they
were, we all thought he must lose his bet, and he was twice
in extreme danger of choking, by which he lost several
seconds. Notwithstanding this however, he, to our great
surprize, accomplished his object, and won the wager, being
six seconds within the given time.

CHAPTER XIII

INCIDENTS OF THE VOYAGE TO MADRAS

TN March we approached the Cape of Good Hope, where
JL Captain Waddell had given us hopes of stopping, and
we landsmen were delighted with the expectation of soon
setting our feet once more upon terra ftrma, when the
Captain one morning whilst we were at breakfast observed
that there was a glorious breeze, fair as it could blow, which
would speedily take us round the tremendous promontory
of Africa, a circumstance of far more importance than eating
grapes at the Cape town, and lengthening our voyage
perhaps a month. The " glorious breeze " however in no
way consoled us for our disappointment, and we were rather
sulky during a couple of days, at the end of which time we
were reconciled to passing our favourite port, and good
humour was restored. Our fellow passenger, Court, was a
constant source of amusement by his monkey tricks and
whimsical behaviour.

Having completely rounded the Cape, and Coast of Africa,
we bore up for the Mosambique Channel, or inner passage.
Passing the Southern point of Madagascar, the weather
became moderately clear, with a smooth sea. I was one
morning walking the deck, when Rogers, whose watch it
was, sitting upon the Quarter called to me in Ms usual style,
" Come here, Bill." I accordingly stepped upon one of the
Quarter deck guns, and observing him to point downwards,
I looked into the sea, where to my great terror and surprize I
beheld the rocks, as they appeared to me, close to the ship's
bottom but Rogers assured me they wereat least fortyfathoms
below us. In a few minutes after, however, he exclaimed,
"Damn my eyes if I like this," and instantly ran into the
Round house. Captain Waddell, returning with him upon

152

UNCHARTED ROCKS 153

deck, ordered the course to be altered three points, and the
lead to be cast, which being done, they found only four
fathoms, so that if there had been any sea the ship would
have struck. These rocks it seems were not properly laid
down in the charts, at the time we were over them, not
being in sight of land and the Charts making them within
five leagues of Madagascar, whereas we were upwards of
twenty off shore. By standing off an hour we lost sight of
the rocks, and were once more in deep water. Ten days
after this occurrence a strange sail was discovered upon our
beam, standing as we did, which upon nearing us hoisted
English colours. In the afternoon she joined company,
proving to be the Hampshire,, Captain Smith, one of the
Fleet that left the Downs with us. The Commanders
agreed to continue together, and put into Johanna for
supplies of water and fresh provisions. In four days we
made the land.

The Island of Johanna in approaching it affords one of
the most luxuriant and picturesque scenes it is possible to
conceive, and doubtless it abounds with natural beauties,
A most elegant and poetical description of it is given by
Sir William Jones, that eminent and learned man who
stopped there on his way to India. It is not considered
healthy, especially at night, and Captain Waddell advised
us by no means to sleep on shore, but to go early
and amuse ourselves during the day, returning on board
before dark, which advice we followed.

Upon coming to an anchor, the ship was immediately sur-
rounded by canoes, crowded with people (who in appearance
much resemble Caffres) bringing with them poultry, eggs, fish,
fruits of various kinds, for sale, of which latter we enjoyed
the pineapples, oranges, guavas and bananas exceedingly.
They spoke a strange jargon, intended as English, frequently
repeating these words, " Johanna man, Englishman, all a
one brother come. Englishman man very good man, drink
ee de punch, fire de gun, beatee de French, very good fun."
Their canoes are formed out of the trunk of a single tree,
long, and very narrow, consequently so unsteady it would

154 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

be scarcely possible to use them but for the outriggers.
These are strong and strait poles, one laid across at the
head, another at the stern of the canoe. From the ex-
tremity of each end a flat plank is laid, and securely tied,
of about ten inches in width, so that when the canoe lieels
either way these planks coming flat upon the surface of the
sea, naturally make a resistance sufficient in common cases
to prevent her oversetting, which without such a con-
trivance she certainly would do.

Upon going ashore at the watering place, we walked from
thence to the town, distant about a mile. The streets, if
such they may be called, not being above four feet wide,
are long and straight, the habitations constructed of clay and
wicker work, and from their regularity and cleanliness
make a pretty and very neat appearance. Here we got
abundance of eggs, good fowls, but a very small breed,
plenty of excellent fish, well tasted beef, the cattle also
remarkably small, and many kinds of vegetables quite new
to us. The natives amuse themselves with their bulls,
which are fierce little animals. Turning one of these loose,
four or five men, wholly unarmed, encounter him, each
person carrying in his hands a piece of cloth about six feet
in length and three in width, which they spread out, dancing
before the bull, who becomes enraged thereat and with vast
fury assails the person nearest to him, who with much
activity and dexterity entangles the horns of the beast
with his cloth, thus preventing any injury to himself.
While the animal is endeavouring to disencumber himself
of the cloth, they continue singing and dancing around him.
Having accomplished the destruction of the cloth, chiefly by
means of his fore feet, he attacks another of his opponents,
and so on until the beast is so fatigued as to fall down, or
that the men themselves are sufficiently tired. They told
us that accidents sometimes, though not frequently, did
happen, and the men got severely gored. Having spent
the day very agreeably we returned to the ship. Beau,
Mr. Rider's Newfoundland clog, was our constant companion
in our rambles, and we had no small difficulty in preventing

JOHANNA'S PRINCE OF WALES 155

him from attacking the bulls, which in fact were not much
larger than himself.

The second day we again landed early, wandering about
the country and going to see a stupendous natural
cascade, where an immense body of water poured down a
declivity nearly perpendicular, of at least five hundred
feet. It was in a most romantic part of the Island,
about three miles inland. Within sight of this noble fall
of water we sat down to dinner, having carried provender
with us, under one of the largest and most spreading trees
I ever beheld, the branches of which were covered with a
species of bat, which Europeans call flying foxes, having a
head greatly resembling that animal, with beautiful white
and strong teeth, their bite being very severe. My com-
panions, who had guns with them, shot several.

The third morning we prepared for another excursion,
Captain Waddell desiring us to be on board again by sun
set, as Captain Smith and he had settled to leave the Island
soon after, with the breeze that generally came off the land.
While a boat was getting ready for us, we heard an amazing
outcry in the steerage, which upon enquiry we found
proceeded from His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales /,
who upon being told that was the title given to the King
of England's eldest son, insisted upon his having it also,
as he was the King of Johanna's only son. His Highness
however, forgetting his elevated rank, had stolen a silver
tea spoon while visiting Mr. Chisholme in his cabin, and
his Prime Minister, not to be behind hand with his royal
master, purloined a blanket. Both culprits being caught
in the act, Chisholme was administering summary justice
by horse whipping those great men, which occasioned the
uproar. The unfortunate Prince and his Officer of State,
after a smart chastisement were turned out of the ship with
ignominy, and orders given that they neither of them
should ever more be permitted to come on board.

Having landed and amused ourselves as on the preceding
days, about five o'clock we left the town, walking towards the
watering place in search of the pinnace which daily attended

156 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

near that part, to carry us off. In our road we met the
Surgeon of the Hampshire, who said, if wo would follow him
we should see some sport. Two foolish lads, passengers
of theirs at the third mate's table, going out Cadets to
Bombay, had gambled during the voyage, and upon settling
their card account that morning, differed materially as to
the balance, which produced a violent quarrel. After
abusing each other in the most scurrilous and blackguard
language, they boxed, whereupon the officers interfered,
observing that if upon their arrival in India the Commander
in Chief should hear of such ungcntlomanliko conduct, they
certainly would be dismissed the service, and they per-
suaded them that the only way to avoid such a fate would bo
to meet as officers should, and settle their dispute in the
field. So serious a measure neither of the disputants seemed
willing to adopt, until assured if they did not they would be
sent to Coventry by their messmates and every person in
the ship. They then reluctantly consented to a meeting,
but it would have been difficult to decide which was most
frightened at the thoughts of such a step. The Fourth
mate consented to be second to one of the combatants, the
Doctor's assistant to the other, these seconds having
privately agreed not to put any ball in the pistols.

Having been made acquainted with these particulars, wo
accompanied the Doctor to the spot where the dire conflict
was to take place, the two heroes having arrived there just
before us and in a sad tremour. The ceremony of loading
the pistols by the seconds being finished, they next spoke
of distance, the Doctor proposing six paces ! upon
which both violently protested against being BO near, one
of them saying he understood thirty yards was the
usual space. The seconds told them the pistols would not
carry much further. After much argument and discussion,
it was resolved that twelve paces should bo the distance.
This the parties concerned pronounced absolute butchery.
They nevertheless were obliged to yield, and finding that
to be the case, insisted that the Fourth mate, who had much
longer legs than the Deputy Surgeon, should measure the

AN AMUSING DUEL 157

space, and he accordingly did so. The antagonists were
then desired to take their stations, there being no time to
spare. The object the principals appeared to have in view
was to squabble and dispute until it really became too late
to fight, but the seconds seeing that, insisted upon their
presenting and discharging their pistols at each other upon
the word being given. Unwillingly they took their respec-
tive stations, when one of them turned to his second, saying
his antagonist owed him forty dollars, and it was very
hard that he should be obliged to risk his money as well as
his life. This created another pause, but was settled by
his second engaging in the event of the debtor being slain,
that he would pay to the survivor the amount due, gravely
adding, he conceived he was not in much danger of being
called upon, as in all probability two such desperate cham-
pions would both end their lives upon the spot.

The poor devils, not being able to devise any further mode
of delay, and the signal being given to fire, they did so in the
same moment, when to our surprize and alarm down dropped
one of them, apparently dead. This led us to apprehend that
the seconds had not kept the private agreement, or at least
that one of them had loaded with ball. We all ran up to
the prostrate youth, and had the satisfaction to find him
unhurt, he having fallen through sheer terror. A glass of
brandy from the pocket flask of one of the company soon
restored him, when he positively declared he heard the ball
whiz by close to his ear, which he thought it had hit. The
combatants were then congratulated upon the gallantry
they had both shewn and were assured that they had done
all that was required of men of honour and gentlemen, upon
which they shook hands, mutually rejoiced at having got
so well out of a dangerous scrape.

This comedy had nearly proved tragic to some of us,
for we had bestowed so much time upon it that the
sun had sunk below the horizon near an hour when we
arrived at the watering place. A beautiful full moon,
however, had risen with a cloudless sky. We were told
that the coxswain of the pinnace, supposing we should

158 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

not come there, had taken the boat to the town to look
for us. Seeing both ships with all their sails set though
there was scarcely a breath of wind, we grew uneasy, and
applied to the people of a large canoe that was going a
fishing, to take us off to the ships, who consented to do so
for five dollars, which we paid and embarked, our party
consisting of Messrs. Rider and Grant, the Surgeon of the
Hampshire and myself, besides poor Beau and the boat
people, two men and a boy, this cargo being more than the
boat with propriety ought to have held in her at once, as
we sunk the outriggers quite to the surface of the water,
thereby destroying much of their effect. Just as we were
pushing from the shore, our ship's gunner came to the
water side requesting a cast on board. I observed we were
already too deep, asking the gunner whether he could swim,
to which he answered :

" No, Sir, not a stroke."

Then added I :

" You shall not come in here ; we are enough to be
drowned at once."

The gunner said :

" Very well, gentlemen, then I'll get another conveyance,"
and we proceeded, the two natives paddling and the boy
steering.

Soon after we had so put off, the Doctor, thinking he
could work harder than the man that sat directly before
him, took his paddle out of his hand, and laboured at it
several minutes until about mid-way, that is, a mile from
the shore and the same distance from the ship, when turning
his head to look towards the ship, he thereby missed his
stroke, lost his balance and falling on one side, his weight
overset the canoe, and we were all submerged in the ocean.
As I immediately sank, I gave myself up for lost, as I
reasonably might, for I could not swim and had a heavy,
laced, regimental coat on, with boots, but soon finding my
head above water I splashed and dashed at a great rate.
On my first rising, the Johanna boy was close to me, holding
out Eider's famous Nivernois hat as if he expected me to

AN ESCAPE FROM DROWNING 159

take it ; at the same time Eider, who was close to me, and
I grappled, and down we went together, but when under
water an immense thick, false club of hair which I had
lashed on, (having been advised to cut my own hair off
previous to going to sea) and which he fortunately had
seized hold of, came ofi in his hand and we got clear of each
other, when I again found my head above water, and Grant,
who was an uncommon fine swimmer, came to my assistance.
The instant he did so I seized him round the neck, and
under water we went together, where from his superior
skill, by a sudden dart downward he got rid of me, and
considered me then as irrecoverably gone, but, to his great
surprize, I once more made my appearance on the surface,
and notwithstanding my former fastening upon him, he
again swam towards me, calling out that he wished to assist
me and take me to the canoe, which he would try to do if I
would let him and not attempt violently to grasp hold of
him, for if I did it would tend to the destruction of both.
Exhausted and terrified as I was, I had still sense enough
to feel the force of what he said, and I therefore let
him take my arm round his neck without any violence on
my part, and he thus conducted me to the canoe which lay
bottom upwards, and I hung by one of the outriggers, the
Doctor of the Hampshire, who was seated astride upon her,
lending his aid to keep me up. Grant then went to assist
Rider, who, besides swimming a little, was, from his form,
much more buoyant than me, and he helped him also to
the upset canoe.

Grant had no doubt made me his first object, induced
thereto from knowing that I could not swim at all,
but this Rider never would give him credit for, often
afterwards angrily saying, " Nonsense, it is no such thing.
He had a more substantial and selfish reason. He knew
well that by the death of a Madras cadet he could be no
gainer, whereas by mine, he got a step in the service, and
therefore he passed me to go to the assistance of Hickey."
Captain Waddell, after repeatedly hearing this illiberal
declaration of Rider's, one day mildly said, "he thought

160 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

lie (Rider) did Grant injustice, for had he been capable of
such reasoning and motives at such an awful crisis, he
would probably have left us both to perish, instead of
risking his own life to preserve ours, as he certainly had
done, and in doing which he had shewn a most extra-
ordinary degree of personal bravery and perseverance."

After Grant had thus conveyed Rider and me to the
overset canoe, and we had been clinging to her several
minutes, every one of which appeared an age, we were
suddenly from an unaccountable motion of the canoe,
again under water and again relieved by our preserver
Grant, soon after which we had the supreme felicity to see
another canoe paddling towards us, but on coming near
the natives in her stopped, crying out, " Too much man,
too much man/ 5 and were actually turning about to pull
away, when the gunner who was in her, and had been
attracted by our cries, partly by threat, and partly by
bribes, made the people approach us, but having accom-
plished that, it was found impossible to receive us, the
canoe being a very small one. After some consultation
the gunner made the men belonging to her jump overboard,
and with their assistance I was got into the canoe, which
being effected they righted the upset one, Rider and the
rest getting into it. The Doctor had never once let go his
hold, sticking constantly to some part of the canoe and
scrambling up till he seated himself upon her bottom.

As I was nearly senseless and full of the water I had swal-
lowed, the Doctor directed the canoes to return to the shore,
there to use means to restore me. This was accordingly
done ; the moment we reached the shore they got me out
and dispatched the smallest canoe to the ship for assistance,
but in five minutes after we landed three boats belonging
to the Hampshire, with Captain Smith himself in one of
them, came in consequence of one of the canoe men having
swam on board her, and told them all the gentlemen were
drowned. On their way from the ship they observed some-
thing white floating upon the water, which they rowed to
supposing it to be one of us, when it was found to be the

THE STRANGE DEATH OF "BEAU" 161

clog Beau, quite dead. The only way so singular a circum-
stance could be accounted for, the animal being almost
amphibious, was that being asleep when the canoe overset,
he naturally endeavoured to strike upwards, which was of
course in vain, against the inside of the canoe's bottom, and
that thus the noble creature was suffocated before he cleared
himself. It was also conjectured that the dip under water
we experienced whilst hanging by the outriggers was owing
to his last and expiring struggle. It certainly was a wonder-
ful thing that four persons, three of whom could not swim,
should be in the sea such a time as we were, so often under
water too, and yet all be preserved, whilst so powerful a
water dog as ce Beau " should lose his life in that element,
yet so it was.

Captain Smith, seeing how nearly gone I was, and how
extremely ill I continued, made the people lay me in his
Cutter, being the swiftest boat of the three, and himself with
his Doctor attended mo to the Phtsscy, on our way to which
we met the latter's boats coming in search of us. Being
hoisted in by a chair, I was put to bed in the Captain's
apartment, the Round house, as the quietest part of the
ship, and there fomented with a suecessioxi of flannels
steeped in hot brandy mixed with laudanum, the flannels
being laid on my breast and, stomueh hot as could be borne.
Doctor Gowciie sat up with me all night, having little hope
of my surviving till morning as 1 was in great agony, and
with extreme diflie.uHy respired. Captains Waddcll and
Smith (the latter either coming in person, or sending daily to
enquire after me) were unremitting in their kindness and
attention, as indeed was everybody about me, and it was
very ilaUermg to find myself so mue.h the object of anxiety
to both ships. 1 continued in a dangerous and precarious
state during eight days, at the end of which time
I recovered rapidly. Rider had been a good deal hurt too
by the quantity of salt water he had swallowed. He never
cordially forgave Grant for passing him and swimming to
my relief. The first times we conversed together after I
was out of danger, instead of expressing gratitude to a benovo-

162 MEMOIRS OP WILLIAM HICKEY

lent providence for his marvellous escape, he began a bitter
lamentation upon the loss of his darling dog, saying he
wished he had been drowned himself rather than poor
"beau." This improper language caused him a severe
rebuke from Captain Waddell for his impiety and ingrati-.
tude 8

CHAPTER XIV

MADRAS

"YT 7"E had light winds for a fortnight after leaving Johanna,
T V being so long in company with the Hampshire, but her
course then differing from ours, she being bound to Bombay,
we separated, each ship's crew giving Three Cheers on
parting.

On the first of May we made the Coast of Cororaandel,
a few miles to the Southward of Pondioherry, running
along the land until evening, when falling calm, we came
to an anchor, to wait the land breeze, which would carry
us into Madras roads by day light of the following morning.
At the usual hour I went to my cot, but the thoughts of being
so near the place o our destination entirely banished sleep,
and finding all my efforts were in vain, [ put on my clothes
and went upon deck, .fust an I got my head above the
Companion ladder, 1 felt an indescribably unpleasant sensa-
tion, suddenly, as it were, losing the power of breathing,
which alarmed mo much, for I supposed it to be the fore-
runner of one of those horrid Indian fevers of which I had
heard BO much during our voyage. Whilst worried by this
idea, my friend Rogers, whose watch it was, said to
mo, " Well, Bill, what do you think of this ? How do you
like the delightful breexo you arc doomed to Bpend your life
in ? " Enquiring what ho meant, 1 found that what had
so surprised and alarmed me was nothing more than the
common land wind blowing as usual at that hour directly
of! shore, and so intensely hot that 1 could compare it only
to standing within the oppressive influence of the steam of
a furnace. At day break we weighed anchor, standing for
Madras, which we had scarcely reached when wo heard that
Mr. Peter King, the Ship's carpenter, a strong made,
vigorous man, was taken suddenly and violently ill with

103

164 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

cramp in Ms limbs and stomach. He was put into a
warm bath as soon as water could be heated, and every
remedy applied, without avail ; in one hour from his
being first seized he was no more. This quick death,
added to the horrid land wind, gave me a very unfavour-
able opinion of the East Indies.

Captain Waddell, with a considerateness peculiar to him,
and in a most engaging manner had, a few days previous
to our arrival, separately invited each of his passengers to
reside with him until we could deliver our letters, and have
sufficient time to settle ourselves, and the morning we got
into the roads he offered to take me on shore in his boat,
observing he knew from my punctuality I should not keep
him waiting, which he was sure the others would, and he
therefore should not ask any other as he wanted to land
as speedily as possible. I thankfully accepted his offer,
and may without vanity add he did me justice in alluding
to my punctuality, as through life I always made it a point
correctly to keep every appointment whether of business
or pleasure, never letting any person lose his time on my
account. Immediately after breakfast therefore I left the
Plassey with Captain Waddell, in a Masulah boat, which
are constructed expressly for passing the surf that breaks
violently along the whole coast in three separate and dis-
tinct waves, the first bursting upon the shore, the second
from one hundred to one hundred and fifty yards further
out, and the third, or outer, nearly at the same distance from
the second. The effect of this surf, and the numerous
accidents that happen from it, is generally the topic of
conversation the first fortnight of a voyage out, so that
although I was in some measure prepared for it, the tre-
mendous roaring and foaming of the sea made my heart
palpitate rather quicker than in common.

The boats are formed of broad planks, literally sewed
together with the twisted fibres of bark from the cocoa
nut tree, the bottom flat, the sides straight up to a
certain height, and then inclining inwards to the upper
edge, both ends are alike except that at the stern there

THE MASTJLAH BOAT 165

is a small platform upon which the person that steers
stands. A boat thus constructed must necessarily leak
greatly ; one man is therefore stationed for the sole
purpose of baling the water out, and to prevent new
comers, especially women, from seeing the quantity of
water constantly pouring in by the seams at her bottom
a weed, something like heath furzeis laid there more than
a foot deep. They are about sixteen feet long, seven wide,
and five deep, quite open, with a single board across for a
seat at regular distances ; are rowed by eight or ten, two
sitting upon each bench, the passengers on the one nearest
the stern. The reason of their being sewed together in-
stead of the usual fastenings is that, in case of touching
the ground between the surfs, they may remain upright, the
sides yielding to the next sea that strikes and lifts her up
again.

Upon reaching the shore much adroitness is shewn in
preventing the return of the surge carrying her out again
with it, for it runs with wonderful velocity. The moment
she first touches the beach the steersman lays her broad-
side to the sea, the crew, with ropes in their hands, jump-
ing out and checking her so as to prevent the return to sea
(though they sometimes fail in their object), the next surf
then strikes her upon the broad side, driving her up high
and dry upon the sand, in which last operation the spray
usually beats entirely over the boat, giving those seated in
her a complete ducking.

We had in the Masulah with us a figure which I
supposed to be a female, drest in white muslin coming
close round the throat, the body also close, but con-
tinued into a kind of petticoat hanging loose and large
to the feet. This I learnt was the Captain's Dubash, a
native man acting as general steward who provides every
household article as well as of merchandize, and engages
all inferior servants. In our way to the shore he informed
Captain Waddell that two large ships we saw at an anchor
were the Pigot, Captain Richardson, and the Hector,
Captain Williams (two of our Downs fleet) that came in

166 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

the preceding day. We afterwards, upon comparing log
books, ascertained that the Plassey was the first round the
Cape by eighteen days, but the above named two ships,
and three others, having, instead of going to the Mosambique
Channel as we did, proceeded by the outer passage, that is,
run down their Easting in a high southern latitude, when
they met with such strong westerly gales as to drive them
two hundred and twenty odd miles every four and twenty
hours for many successive days, whilst we who were between
Madagascar and the main land experienced light winds and
calms, had thus outstretched us ; such is the chance in
navigating.

To return to the Masulah boat. Notwithstanding the
"Dubash"and the rowers assured us the surf was very
moderate that morning, I thought it the most terrific thing I
had ever beheld, nor was my alarm at all lessoned by ob-
serving as we approached it that Captain Waddell threw aside
a large boat cloak which ho had thrown over Inn own and
my shoulders to protect us both from the spray of the sea
and intense heat of the sun, and also took oil his gloves.
Upon my asking the reason of his so doing, ho replied,
" I don't know that there is any immediate danger, but
it is as well to be prepared for the worst." (I had often
heard he was an excellent swimmer.) Three or four strange
looking things now came close to our boat, which 1 under-
stood were called Catamarans, consisting of nothing more
than two or three large trees, the trunk part only, strongly
lashed together, upon which sat two men nearly in a state
of nature, as indeed were those of the Masulah boat, having
no sort of covering but a small piece of rag tied with a
string round the middle. The Catamarans aecompuny
the Masulah boats through the surf, iuul when an accident
happens endeavour to pick up the unfortunate passengers.
The men belonging to thorn are perpetually washed off
by the violence of the sea but, being like fishes in the
water, easily regain their seats upon the logs. It is curious
to see how well they manage these xmwieltly machines, and
the rate at which they paddle them along.

LANDING THROUGH THE SURF 167

Upon coming to the edge of the outer surf the man
at the stern of our boat, steering with a long oar began
to stamp with his feet and roar like a Bedlamite, the
rowers joining in the hideous yell, pulling with all their
might, all together frequently crying, " Yalee ! Yalee !
Yalee ! " Before I knew where we had got to, I
was astonished to see a prodigious curling white foam
following within a foot of our boat's stern, about which I
found the people were perfectly indifferent, and Captain
Waddell informed me that was the outer surf which w r e
had safely passed. In like manner we went in with the
second and third, reaching the beach with scarce a sprink-
ling, and we heard from many bystanders that the surf
was uncommonly low. The Catamaran people followed us,
begging money for attending us, which I gave them with
pleasure, heartily rejoiced at being clear of Madras surf.
Upon jumping out of the boat I sunk up to my ankle in a
burning sand, the effect of which I never can forget.

Upon the Captain's landing he was saluted with nine
guns from the Fort according to custom in those days.
We were then conducted by the Dubash to a very hand-
some house in Fort St. George, which had been taken by
Captain Richardson for himself and our Commander pur-
suant to an agreement between them previous to leaving
England. Here at one o'clock we sat down to an admirable
good dinner, and were vastly comfortable, Captain Waddell
promising to introduce me to Governor Bourchier the
following morning, for whom I had several letters, as I
likewise had to General Richard Smith, the Commander in
Chief, Sir Robert Fletcher, Mr. Du Pre, first in Council, Mr.
Ardley, Mr. Dawson (both also Members of Council), and
many other gentlemen high in the service. With Mr.
Dawson I expected to reside, he having married Miss
Charlton, who, as well as a brother of hers, Francis Charl-
ton, had been fitted out and sent to India entirely at my
father's cost. Mrs. Dawson died about six months prior
to my arrival at Madras to the great grief of her disconso-
late husband. These Charltons were the children of a much

168 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

valued friend of my father's who, dying in indigent circum-
stances, left a numerous family dependent upon the bounty
of his friends. This was the gentleman with whom Edmund
Watts, that I have before mentioned, lived for several
years.

The morning after our arrival when seated at the break-
fast table, Captain Richardson came in from his ride, and
addressing me, said :

" What ! are you still here, young gentleman ? Pray
why don't you go to the Port Major who will provide you
with quarters in the Barracks, the proper place for you as
a cadet. 5 '

" And pray," sharply retorted I, " who the devil are
you that thus impertinently obtrude your opinion respecting
what I ought to do. I take the liberty to tell you that I
disclaim any right in you either to interrogate or to direct
me, and desire none of your advice."

He looked surprized, but affected to laugh it off, saying
I was a fine spirited boy and he must be better acquainted
with me, offering his hand, which I coldly accepted, observ-
ing " I was not exactly the boy he seemed to take me for."

His first speech had stuck in my stomach, and I resolved
not to eat another meal in a house of which he was in part
the owner. Breakfast finished, we went to the Governor's
residence, where I found my old friend and shipmate, Dick
Bourchier, already snugly lodged. His uncle received me
very graciously, and said I must dine there. From the
Governor's I went to Mr. Dawson's, who directly after
reading my letters shewed me into a spacious and com-
modious chamber, which he said was exclusively mine, and
I must in every respect consider myself as at home. He
told me he would go with me to dinner, and take me in the
evening to the governor's garden three miles out of town,
it being the custom always to sup with the person at whose
house you dine. The dinner hour being one, the morning
slipped away before I had delivered half my letters. A
fine sharp young native, who spoke English, and followed
me from the beach on my landing, still stuck close, as my

THE CLERGYMAN AND THE WINE 169

servant. Him therefore I sent for my baggage with a letter
to Captain WaddeH thanking him heartily for all his kind-
nesses to me ; I concluded by declaring my determination
never more to eat in a house where Captain Richardson
was proprietor. At dinner I met my worthy Commander,
when he expressed much concern at my being so seriously
offended by what Captain Richardson had said, assuring
me he was a liberal minded man and had no idea of hurting
my feelings or being uncivil. I was nevertheless so preju-
diced against him that I never would, although he con-
descended to make many advances to me afterwards, be
more than a bowing acquaintance.

At this our first dinner at the Government house a very
laughable incident occurred. Amongst the guests was an
Irish Clergyman named Yates, recently arrived from Europe
in the Hector, advanced in years, and who appeared to know
little of mankind or of general manners. This gentleman,
as a member of the Church and a stranger, was placed at
table upon the Governor's left hand, Mr. Dawson, from
etiquette, being on the right. Early in the dinner Mr.
Bourchier apologized to the Priest for not asking him to
drink wine, saying that, from indisposition, his Doctor had
desired him to abstain from wine for a few days. The
cloth being removed, two glasses were, according to custom,
put before each person. The Governor then pushed the
bottles to Mr. Yates, saying, " We always drink the lung,
sir, and God bless him, as our first toast/' Mr. Yates who
had not been in the habit of seeing two glasses, took it for
granted it was also an Indian custom, and filled both, which
he emptied to the King. This he repeated every round
the bottles made, to the great entertainment of the company.
After having so done four or five times, pointing to two
bumpers which he had just filled, he observed to the gentle-
man who sat next him, " Upon my conscience this is the
prettiest custom I ever saw in my life, and I wonder it has
not been adopted in Ireland."

Having been at table nearly two hours, the Governor
gave as a toast, " A good afternoon," the signal for breaking

170 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

up. The company immediately arose and departed to take
their afternoon's nap, a custom I did not adopt ; instead
of it, taking a walk to the Black town, where Rogers, Dr.
Gowdie, and other officers of the ship resided, and dranl
tea with them, after which I went home again and dressed
for the evening. At half past seven Mr. Dawson and I got
into our palankeens to go to the Governor's gardens, on
the way passing through a large piece of water of such
depth that for many yards it was up to the bearers' hips.
When in the deepest part one of them stumbled, ami had
very near rolled me out into the stream, which ran rapidly
towards the sea.

Arriving at the house, I was much struck by the appear-
ance of the entrance, beautifully illuminated, up an avenue
of noble trees to the house. Precisely at nine wo sat down
to supper, all the Commanders of the Jndiamen being
present, to whom the Governor gave an account of a
tremendous hurricane that, had occurred in the preeeding
month of November, in which recital he mentioned so
many marvellous circumstances that in my own mind 1
pronounced him a most abominable liar. Subsequently
however, I had ocular demonstration that I was unjust in
forming such an opinion, for I myself saw a ship's long boat
which, when the storm arose, was laying on the beach, and
by the force of the wind was blown near three miles inland,
and there stopped by a plantation of Palmyra and Cocoa nut
trees. Also, 1 saw in a garden belonging to Mr. Andrew
Ross a tree of immense magnitude, which bad been torn up
by the roots, carried several yards, completely overset, and
pitched upon its brandies, the roots being upward, in which
position it remained. Mr. Koss had caused a quantity of
earth to be placed round the branches, under an idea that
they would take root and new shoots spring from tho old
root, but he was disappointed ; when I saw it tho whole
appeared withered and dead. Though then an unbeliever
as to the power of wind, it afterwards fell to my lot to
encounter a monsoon hurricane mid to have with me a
man, as incredulous respecting what wind could do as I

THE RIPPED BREECHES 171

was when I heard the Governor's history. At eleven we
departed.

The next morning while I was dressing, a man opened
my room door, and just popping his head in, said, with
great quickness, " Governor send compliments, deniro
master's company to dinner to-day," and, without waiting
a moment, away he darted. This message was daily de-
livered in a similar manner during my stay at Madras.

The second day I called upon my whipmatoH, Rider and
Grant, both living with Alexander Davidson, Esqr., who
was some years afterwards, for a short period, Governor
of Madras. I found Rider fencing with a gentleman, Mrs,
Davidson, then a charming young woman, and two female
friends, with several men, looking on, when an event
occurred that must have forced a laugh from the* most
morose being that ever exited. Rider had, an was then
usual, upon landing, ordered a parcel of Gingam breechen,
a pair of which he was fencing in, but the tailor having
been sparing of cloth, Jacob in making a lunges nplit them,
as a sailor would say, from " Clew to Earring," Poor
Rider, ready to sink with ahame, wtood Homo Becoudn
motionless, then suddenly made the bent of his way out of
the room. So ridiculous a spectacle I never beheld. Tho
women were wonderfully well entertained and I thought
would have gone into litn from laughter at neeiag tlio
little fat body waddling off. Being invited to diao there,
at the usual hour 1 went, entering the dining room,
where a large party, malo and female, were already OH-
sembled at the same moment with Eider. All behaved
with decorum, keeping their countenances admirably until
Mr. 'Davidson, with a very grave face, addressing Rider,
"hoped no inconvenience had attended the accident of
the morning." Bach a question proved too much for the
ladies, and a roar of laughter burst forth, continuing
several minutes, and I began to think our meal wan sacrificed
to it. Tho mirth at lant subsiding, wo began to eat, antl
went on very well, but with occanioual Kmiles and an inter-
change of arch leers between our lionU'Krf aud her fair guests*

172 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

After dinner, Captain Elphinstone, of the Triton, who
had arrived that morning, mentioned the melancholy loss

of the Chatham, upon which Mr. Davidson assured those
that supped with the Governor, and appeared to think
he had exaggerated in his account, that every syllable was
true. This ship had arrived from Bengal on the 20th of
October, and was detained by the Government of Madras,
in order to convey to the Court of Directors an official
account of the peace then recently concluded with Hyder
Ali. Captain Morris, who commanded the Chatham, and
his purser, were the only two persons on shore at the time
of the tremendous hurricane ; every other soul in her perished.
The Commander had intended to heave to only, and
receive the Madras dispatches, it being after the time when
$hips are forbid to remain upon the coast, which is from
the 15th of October to the 15th of December, but some
important documents not being ready, his ship was ordered
to wait. To secure the insurances therefore, he made a
formal protest against the parties so detaining him.

The gale threatened during three days previous to its actual
commencement, and so awful and terrific was the appearance
of the sky and sea as to appal the oldest and most experi-
enced seaman that beheld it from shore. For forty eight
hours before the storm there was little wind, but the ocean
more violently agitated than ever had been known. The
prodigious height and fury of the surf prevented all com-
munication with the shipping, of which from the then very
critical state of the Company's affairs there were unhappily
upwards of twenty of different burthens in the roads, all
being Country vessels except the Chatham. Every measure
and every precaution that superior skill and seamanship
could suggest had been adopted on board the Chatham.
She had four anchors ahead, was out in thirty five fathoms
water, at a distance of between seven and eight miles from
the shore, her top masts, top sail yards, and lower yar$s
struck, ports chintzed in fore and aft, with a complete crew
of able seamen on board, the Chief mate being esteemed
oiie of the best officers in the service.

A TREMENDOUS HURRICANE 173

The afternoon previous to the commencement of the gale,
Captain Morris, by tempting the Catamaran people with a
sum of money never before offered, prevailed upon five differ-
ent ones to endeavour to get off to the ship, giving to each Ca-
tamaran a similar letter to the commanding officer on board,
and promising a still further gratuity to all, or any, or either
of them that should effect the delivery, and bring an answer.
Four of them after the most extraordinary and unparalleled
exertions failed in their object of passing the outer surf, and
wholly exhausted, with difficulty regained the boach. The
fifth, to the infinite surprize of a crowd of spectators that
with spying glasses were anxiously watching them, suc-
ceeded, reached the ship, whore he delivered Captain
Morris's letter, which was requesting tho Chief mate to
exercise his own judgment as to remaining at anchor or
otherwise when tho gale should commence, but at all
events upon certain signals therein specified being made
from the? Fort, to cut their cables and stand out to sea.
The Chief mate returned a written answer, saying that from
the admirable state of tho ship, and the precautions already
taken, ho had not the least doubt, come what might, of
her doing well.

The morning after this exchange of letters, at seven
o'clock, tho wind suddenly arose to a degree of fury
thcntoforo unknown by tho oldest inhabitant of Madras,
accompaaicd by torrente of rain, tho weather dismally dark,
and so thick that no object could bo distinguished at twenty
yards distance. It being tho opinion of everybody on shore
that no cables that ever wore made could hold in such a
dreadful storm, before eight o'clock tho signal for the
Chatham, to put to sea was made and repeated every
quarter of an hour, but tho roaring of the wind fax surpassed
tho report of tho largest guns, not ono of which was heard
even by tho vessels close to the surf. Tho gale commenced
at South West, which is along shore, but soon shifted to
West North Went, off the land. At olovon a very fine now
vcHsol, Kotch rigged, seeing all the others that were near
her founder, and that eho might every moment be expected

174 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

to share the same fate, as a forlorn hope cut away the main
and mizen masts, cut their cables also, and ran out to sea
right before the wind. Towards noon she passed close
under the stern of the Chatham, then at anchor and labour-
ing so extremely that the Captain of the ketch expected
to see her go down head foremost. He described her as
absolutely standing right on end every pitch she took.
Although the ketch ran without an inch of canvas, for
none could have resisted such a tempest, she went at such
a prodigious rate as in a few minutes to be out of sight of
the CJialham, and this was the last that ever was seen of
that unfortunate ship. It was suppOvSed from tho account
the ketch gave of her that she must have foundered at her
anchors, but this was mere conjecture, for not a trace of
her was ever discovered. The part of the roads she had lain
in was afterwards dragged for many days without finding
any sign of her.

The hurricane continued with unremitting violence for
twenty-four hours, when it suddenly ceased, and tho
weather cleared up. Not a single vessel was then to
be seen ; tho whole coast, far as tho eye could reach,
being strewed with wrecks and dead bodies, in three
weeks afterwards the ketch returned. Soon after she
passed the Chatham the sea made such dreadful breaches
quite over her that they were obliged to cut away the fore-
mast, and thus stood to the Eastward until they ran out
of the hurricane. They then lay to for several days,
preparing Jury masts, which having completed they re-
turned to Madras. Seven of her crew were washed away
and lost by one sea that overwhelmed them. About forty
lascars, or native sailors, belonging to vessels that foundered,
saved themselves by clinging to masts or yards, and thus
drifting with the current towards tho shore, avoiding tho
dreadful break of the surf by occasionally diving below its
influence, for they are all most expert swimmers.

Mr. Dawson now told mo he would shew mo an Indian
garden, and that thenceforward we should sleep every night
at his country house. He accordingly drove mo in hia

AN INDIAN GARDEN 175

phaeton to Choultry plain, an open space about three miles
from Madras, where I found a dreary looking habitation
with only a few clumsy chairs and tables in it, so bare indeed
was it of furniture that I could not disguise my astonish-
ment, and this led the owner to tell me that during the war
Hyder Ali's stragglers, or looties as they were called>
committed such repeated depredations upon all the Euro-
pean habitations, even to the edge of the works of the Fort,
that the proprietors removed everything valuable, and he
added that it was upwards of a twelvemonth since he had
ventured to sleep- there, for which reason I must be satisfied
with a couch, no beds being yet put up.

We dined with Mr. Marriott, who lived within a quarter of a
mile, who talked much of a melon he had for us after dinner,
and which proved so watery and tasteless no one in England
would have given two pence for a dozen such, but that fruit
was then a great rarity at Madras. In the evening Mr.
Dawson walked out to shew me his boasted garden. After
going over what I conceived to be a wild and uncultivated
piece of ground, with scarcely a blade of grass or the least
sign of vegetation, he suddenly stopped and asked me what
I thought of a Madras garden, to which, in perfect simplicity,
I answered, " I would tell him my opinion when I had seen
one." This answer he replied to with, " When you see one,
Sir, why you are now in the middle of mine." The devil
I am, thought I, then what a precious country am I come
to, if this is a specimen of a gentleman's garden.

As there was no use in attempting to disguise my senti-
ments, I acknowledged that I considered the most barren
part of Hounslow heath far preferable. '

At dusk we returned to Mr. Marriott's, where I was
stuck down to pagoda (eight shillings) whist, and at ten
o'clock walked home to our bare walled, melancholy
looking Chambers. Mine was a large hall, without a single
article in it except a crazy old couch, upon which lay a
miserable dirty looking Chinese pillow as hard as the floor
itself, and no bedding of any sort or kind. This was roughing
it with a vengeance, and what I was not at all accustomed

176 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

to. Sleep under such circumstances seemed entirely out
of the question, for, as if a want of all the usual requisites
was insufficient, the place was filled by myriads of mos-
quitos of no small size. I however lay down in my clothes
upon the rattan, where I tumbled about in a most uneasy
state about three hours, when I got up and walked up and
down. In another hour I was surprized to hear Mr. Dawson
moving. He soon entered my room, asking if I was ready
to ride, to which, with evident surprize I answered that it
was the middle of the night. Mr. Dawson with a smile
observed he had taken his usual allowance of sleep, four
hours, and that he always was mounted before break of
day. Of course I made no further opposition, and away
we went, taking a pleasant ride enough, the day light
appearing in half an hour after we left the house.

On our way back, my nag, a handsome Arabian, and as Mr.
Dawson assured me gentle as a lamb and free from every vice,
gave a sudden and unexpected bound sideways of several
yards, an event I was wholly unprepared for. I therefore
lost my seat and down I came in the middle of the road.
Although not materially hurt I was a good deal shaken,
and vexed at my awkwardness, nor was that vexation less-
ened by seeing the melancholy looking Dawson, with his
cadaverous countenance, in so violent a fit of laughter that
I thought he too would have fallen from his horse. Having
indulged himself in this ill timed mirth he apologized thus,
" I beg your pardon, Mr. Hickey, but there is to me some-
thing, so superlatively ridiculous in a man's falling from his
horse that I never see it without its exciting my risibility,"
and again he burst out laughing. I thought him an im-
mensely stupid brute, but made no reply. The servants
having caught my Arab, I once more mounted, resolved
in future to be more attentive to the pranks of this gentle
creature without a vice,

CHAPTER XV

THE VOYAGE TO CHINA

MR. DAWSON and I had several conversations upon
family matters, when he invariably expressed his sur-
prize that my father should have sent me out as a cadet,
especially to Madras, where the military line never could
be an object for a gentleman, that the pay was too con-
temptible to aSord the common necessaries of life, and
particularly bad now a peace was made which barred all
chance of promotion. This subject he so often dwelt upon
that, tired of his prosing comments, I one day pettishly
said :

" Since this is the case, and the prospect according to
your account so forlorn a one for me, I think I had better
return to Europe," though when I so said not an idea of the
kind was in my contemplation.

Mr. Dawson immediately continued :

" Upon my word, I think it is the best measure you can
adopt, and I advise you by all means to go home and let
your father procure for you a writership in the civil service,
which with his influence he can have no difficulty to accom-
plish, and then it may be in my power to serve you."

This language at once gave me a notion that I might,
without incurring my father's displeasure, follow Mr.
Dawson's recommendation.

I usually went every day into the Fort, and generally
dined twice a week with the Governor, going to the gardens
to sleep, where, after the first night, I took care to supply
myself with bedding and mosquito curtains. One day
that I dined at Mr. Bourchier's, he congratulated me upon
IK> longer being a cadet, a commission of Ensign having
passed the board both for me and his nephew, Richard,
being the only two cadets of the season that would be
N 177

178 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

promoted probably for three years to come. I thanked
him, but said, " Mr. Dawson advised me to quit the army
and get transferred to the Civil service," to which Mr.
Bourchier observed he thought such a change desirable
and well worthy the going home to obtain. All agog at
this approval from a quarter where I expected disapproba-
tion, and delighted with the idea of leaving such an abomin-
able place as Madras, I directly went to my friend Mr. Rider
to communicate what had passed, and the resolution I had
in consequence formed : upon which he (who I had on our
passage out made acquainted with my little history) in the
kindest manner endeavoured to dissuade me from adopting
so foolish and inconsiderate a measure, reminding me in
nervous language of the immense expence my father had
been put to in fitting me out, and the disappointment and
mortification it must be to him. to see me thus inconsiderately
return. All this I felt myself, yet the idea of again seeing
England drove poor prudence clear of!, and the most Mr.
Rider could effect was my promise that I would not hastily
determine, or resign the service without mature considera-
tion.

A week after the above conversation with Mr. Rider, he
called upon me to say he clearly saw that I greatly disliked
Madras, but he felt certain that I should be pleased with
Bengal. He therefore wished me to apply to Mr. Bourchier
to transfer me to that Establishment, which he could easily
do by giving me a recommendatory letter to Governor
Verelst, or to General Richard Smith, the Commander in
Chief. Such a change I had not the least objection to ; on,
the contrary, I much liked the thoughts of it, and therefore
forthwith posted away to the Government house and made
my request in person. Whereupon Mr. Bourchier assured
me it was utterly impossible, as he would soon convince
me, and calling for his private Secretary he desired him to
bring the general letter, which he observed the Plassey had
conveyed to India, and from which he read a paragraph
stating that as 'changes had frequently been made in the
army from one Presidency to another whereby great

DESIRES TO LEAVE MADRAS 179

confusion and difficulties had arisen, the Court of Directors
did most positively forbid and prohibit any thing of that
kind in future, upon any pretence whatsoever, and that no
exchange of officers from one Settlement to another should
ever be permitted without an express order from the Court.

This regulation carried out in the same ship in which I
went, I conceived decisive. I however mentioned it to
Rider, who persevered in urging me to go round to Bengal
with him, where he was certain from his own personal
influence he should be able to procure for me upon that
Establishment the same military rank I had obtained at
Madras. He then recommended me to ask Mr. Bourchier
to let me retain the Ensigncy and go to Bengal upon leave
of absence, also to inform him that I made this application
at his (Rider's) desire. I did so, but the Governor said
it could not be done, that all he could do he would, which
was not only to allow me to go to Bengal, but give me letters
to some friends of his in that Settlement who might be able
to promote my views. He added that he thought it incum-
bent upon him to tell me, in his opinion, I was very wrong
to leave Madras, that I ought to bear in recollection that
even if I succeeded in getting the same rank in the army of
Bengal, I should always be liable to be recalled if the Court
of Directors ever discovered the circumstance, and in such
case they would beyond a doubt dismiss me from their
service altogether. This possibility of a recall, even when
I might have attained a rank of importance as an officer
seriously alarmed me, and upon further deliberation I
resolved to return to England, Having communicated
such my final determination to Mr. Dawson he promised
to write to my father and say I had so done in pursuance
of his advice, and tiiat he thought it the best step I could
take.

Within the space of ten days after the Plassey reached
Madras, the whole of the fleet that left the Downs with her,
bound to the same place, came in. This brought so great
and sudden a supply of European articles as to overstock
the market, and in consequence there were no purchasers

180 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

for many of the investments. The Commanders and
officers were therefore under the disagreeable necessity of
disposing of what they had at a loss of forty per cent upon
the prime cost of the goods in England, and several at
even a still greater discount. Glassware in particular, of
which there was an immense quantity from that article
having been much wanted the year before, sold at a loss of
sixty per cent. My acquaintance, Mr. Douglas, had up-
wards of one thousand pounds' sterling in different sorts of
glass, yet by a conduct and management peculiar I believe
to himself instead, like his unfortunate brother officers, of
sustaining so calamitous and ruinous a loss, he actually
made upon his whole investment a profit of twenty-five
per cent, and he effected it thus He was, as I have already
mentioned, a very gay and dressy man, had at least half a
dozen suits of rich laced clothes, with bag, solitaire and
sword, his hair dressed in the latest Parisian style with three
tiers' of curls. He was perfectly au fait at small talk, would,
if necessary or through a paucity of men, dance four or five
minuets of an evening, and was in every respect what was
called, "a woman's man." Douglas, though in the midst of
dissipation, or going down a Country dance with a lively
girl for his partner, never lost sight of the main chance, and
constantly had an eye to business. He woiild by the most
fulsome and bare faced flattery first talk his partner into
high good humour, and having effected that much, he then
pulled from his pocket and presented to her, " the terms of
a raffle," or, " scheme of a lottery for a quantity of beautiful
glass ware," sometimes with both, saying she must not only
fix her own signature but also procure the names of her
friends, male and female, and this conduct, mean and con-
temptible as it was, fully answered his purpose to the extent
above mentioned.

Captain Waddell, having heard of my intention of re-
turning to Europe, very kindly sent his purser, Mr. Jones
to me to say he should be happy to have the pleasure of my
company on board the Plassey, and although he was bound
to China first, I probably should not meet with any oppor-

THE MADMAN AND THE HAT 181

trinity of reaching England earlier than his ship would be
there. I therefore thankfully accepted his friendly offer,
and two days after I had done so the Company's ship
Thames, Captain Haggis, arrived in the roads from Bengal,
on her way towards Europe. Such an opportunity I thought
ought not to be lost, and I applied to the Commander, a
strange, rough sort of a tarpaulin, to ask his price, to which
he answered he believed he might be able to spare me a
small cabin in his steerage for three hundred guineas.
Our treaty instantly ceased, and I made up my mind to take
a peep at the Chinese.

On the 4th of June, being His Majesty's birthday, I
went with the rest of the Settlement to an entertainment
given at the Government house in honour of the festival.
At the supper table chance placed me next to an odd looking
elderly man, who eyed me with peculiar archness, and
seemed particularly struck with my Nivernois hat. He
spoke not, but looked at me with great earnestness. At
length he suddenly snatched my hat from my lap and placing
it upon the point of a walking stick, held it up in the middle
of the table. This naturally attracted the attention of the
company, the novelty of the exhibition exciting a general
burst of laughter, for at that period immensely large hats
were worn at Madras. Dick Bourchier, who sat near me,
having ascertained who the person was, whispered me not
to take any notice of what he did for that he was insane,
and had been so many years, but being perfectly inoffensive
and harmless he was received every where with the utmost
attention. He had formerly been a Captain of Artillery in
the Company's service, and lost his senses in consequence
of a fever brought on from severe sufferings during an
arduous campaign. At the time he was thus afflicted he
had not saved a rupee ; the Company therefore allowed
him a pension upon which he lived, apparently happy and
contented. His common habit was reserved and shy,
seldom speaking to any one unless first spoken to, and at no
time ever shewing the smallest degree of ill-nature or
violence. The new and whimsical form of my hat, so unlike

182 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

the then prevailing fashion, seemed to tickle his fancy
excessively. Finding this to be the case, I very civilly said
that as he admired the hat it was very much at his service,
and he would do me a favour by accepting it. He seemed
pleased, bowed gracefully enough, and taking the proffered
hat, once more fixed it at the end of his cane, holding it up
as before, and laughing himself immoderately, and in a few
minutes afterwards getting up from table, saluted the
company and marched out of the room with his acquisition.

During my sojourn at Madras 3 I was often obliged to
play whist, my host, Mr. Dawson, not having a party without
me. Mr. Whittle, vulgarly called " Black Jack," who
afterwards became Governor of Madras, usually made one
of the set, and chance gave him me for a partner several
times. As I knew nothing of the game, we frequently lost
rubbers that with the cards I held ought to have been won.
This offended Mr. Whittle, who gave me a number of lectures
relative to the mode of playing particular hands, but finding
I did not profit by his instructions, he one evening in the
middle of a game laid down his cards and, taking out his
purse, paid the amount of the stake to his adversary, at
the same time addressing me with " You, Mr. Hickey, are,
I believe, a very good sort of young man, but by God you
are by no means calculated to sit down at a whist table, so
take my advice, and never in future attempt to do it."

Mr. Dawson took me several times to the Mount, a
beautiful place about eight miles from Madras. It was a
large and verdant plain whereon a number of gentlemen's
Country houses were erected, the whole of them commanding
an extensive view of the sea and shipping in the roads.
On one side of the spacious flat was a small mountain upon
which a monastery stood, an ancient building erected by,
and belonging to, the Portuguese. Every one of the build-
ings had been defaced and spoliated by the enemy, Hyder's
irregular cavalry having forced out even the door and
window frames to burn and cook their victuals.

Early in the month of June the Lord Holland,, East India-
man, commanded by Captain Nairn, arrived from Europe

A TRAGIC DISCOVERY 183

crowded with Bengal passengers. After staying ten days
she sailed for Calcutta. My friends Eider and Grant were
desirous of embarking on her, and would have done so had
there been a spot for them to hang their cots in, which
luckily for them there was not. On her way from Balasore
roads to the river Hooghley the pilot ran her upon one of the
numerous sands which fill that wild part of the ocean, and
she was totally lost.

The latter end of June Captain Waddell told me I must
prepare for departure, as he intended to sail in less than a
week. I therefore went round to take leave of a numerous
set of acquaintances I had made during my residence at
Fort St. George, from many of whom I had received marks
of great civility and kindness.

The last time that I went to sleep at Mr. Dawson's
garden he told me he would the next morning shew me
a pretty place about ten miles to the northward, belong-
ing to a friend of his with whom we should spend the day
and ride home in the cool of the evening, and that I
should eat as fine and high flavoured oysters as ever I
tasted in Europe. We accordingly mounted our horses
before day break, and rode gently to the place, going the
last four miles along the sand at the very edge of the sea,
and enjoying a most refreshing breeze which blew upon us
direct from the ocean.

Upon coming up to the door of the house, we dis-
mounted, but not a soul appeared to receive us. Mr.
Dawson, much surprized, conducted me into the hall,
and loudly called, " Holloa, Boy, Boy ! " the usual man-
ner of summoning servants at Madras. After repeating
this several times without any effect, he said to me,
"This is very singular, nor can I account for it." He
then proceeded to his friend's bed chamber, from whence
I heard him exclaim, " Good God, poor Stone (or Stone-
house, I forget which) is dead," and again joining me he
told me he was laying upon the bed a corpse. After again
calling in vain, we walked to a sort of lodge or farm belonging
to the deceased, where we found several of the servants,

184 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

who upon seeing us burst into violent lamentations. In a
short time one of them informed Mr. Dawson that his
master's 'horse had been taken to the door, as usual, at day
light. The sun rising and he not coming out, his head man
knocked at his room door, but, not receiving any answer,
he opened it and entered, where he saw his master laying
upon his bed, and approaching nearer, observed his mouth
and eyes wide open, that, taking him by the hand, he found
it clammy and cold, extremely terrified at which he ran out
and called his fellow servants, who returned to the room
with him, but the moment they saw their master was dead
they all ran away to the place we found them in, where they
had been shut up above an hour.

Instead, therefore, of the cheerful, pleasant day we had
expected, Mr. Dawson was employed some hours arranging
matters for the funeral. He sent a man on horseback for
a Doctor who lived about three miles off, and who came
immediately. Upon examining the body he said nothing
could be done, that a change had 'actually taken place,
from which he supposed he must have been seized with
apoplexy soon after laying down. At three o'clock in
the afternoon we set out on our return home, greatly
shocked at the melancholy occurrence, at least, I was,
for I certainly thought Mr. Dawson betrayed an indiffer-
ence that did him no credit in my eyes, and treated this
sudden death quite as a thing of course, and of no im-
portance.

Another extraordinary circumstance happened the ensuing
day. I went into the Black Town for the purpose of visiting
the Plassetfs officers, where I found the house in the utmost
confusion, and seeing a number of persons in one of the
rooms, I also entered, and saw they were gathered round a
body weltering in blood upon the floor. Rogers, who was
present, informed me it was our shipmate, old Forbes, who
a few minutes before had cut his throat, and so effectually
that he was already dead. He had been in a low and
desponding way for a month, often grievously weeping and
exclaiming what a miserable wretch he was, and that when

PREPARATIONS FOR CHINA 185

the Plassey should sail from Madras he should be left
destitute and without a single friend in the world. Upon
our first arrival he hired a small house in the Black Town,
where he lived entirely by himself, until Gowdie and Rogers,
seeing how unhappy the poor creature was, kindly received
and fed him, whereupon he recovered his health and spirits,
but as the time approached when he must be deprived of
their society, he again flagged, and fell into despondence,
which led him to put an end to his life with a razor.

During my stay at Madras a young gentleman came out
from England very strongly recommended to Mr. Dawson,
in consequence of which he resided in his house. His name
Hall Plumer ; (brother to Sir Thomas Plumer, the present
Solicitor General, since appointed Vice Chancellor of
England) he was a writer upon the Madras establishment,
and we became sworn friends. I shall say more of him
hereafter.

On the 6th of July, Mr. Chisholme brought a remarkably
fine looking young man about eighteen years of age, whom
he introduced by the name of McClintock, saying he would
be a fellow passenger of mine to China, where he was going
for the recovery of his health. He had only been three years
in India, unfortunately getting a serious illness upwards
of a year before I saw him. It had reduced him to so low
a state and brought on so many alarming symptoms that
the medical gentlemen advised his trying the effect of
change of air and passing some months at Canton, where the
winter was sharp and cold. Chisholme, who knew his
connexions, was much interested about him, and had asked
Captain Waddell to give him a passage, a request that was
granted in the handsomest manner, and half the Round house
allotted to his use. " Now," said Chisholme, " as you two
are much alike in disposition I think it would be a pleasant
thing to both to be together, each of your apartments being
sufficiently spacious to accommodate two, so if you approve
of my suggestion, do you ; Hickey, go up to the Round
house, or let McClintock come down to your half of the
great cabin. I should conceive the latter the best." I

186 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

readily acceded, and we agreed to swing our cots below.
I had reason to be highly satisfied with my companion, for
during nine subsequent months that we were inseparable I
never once heard an angry or illnatured word pass his lips,
so placid and fine a tempered lad I never met with ; he
jvas also unusually accomplished and an excellent scholar.

On the 7th (July) I received notice that the ship would
sail the following day and Captain Waddell, with his
accustomed kind attention, offered to take me off with him
at one o'clock in the afternoon, but the same evening
Chisholme and McClintock called to say they intended
going off soon after sun rise, at which time the surf never
was so high as when the day was further advanced, and Chis-
holme pressing me to join them, I consented and wrote a note
to tell my Commander. Before sun rise the next morning
I was upon the beach and saw a prodigious surf. The boat
people nevertheless assured us there was not the least danger,
and we embarked, taking the precaution to engage several
of the largest Catamarans to attend and stick close to us.
We passed the first surf tolerably well, only getting a little
spray of the sea over us. We then remained stationary at
least half an hour before they attempted the second, though
five or six times not a yard from the tremendous curl and
break of the wave, which to say the truth occasioned me
serious alarm, but I had the miserable consolation of seeing
Chisholme still more frightened than myself, and he every
moment called to the people of the Catamarans to keep
nearer to us, promising them as well as our boat's crew,
adequate compensation if they carried us safely through.

McClintock and I sat quite still without saying a word, but
I am free to confess I was not sorry to hear Chisholme ex-
horting those about us to exert themselves and be careful.
We then passed the second surf without receiving a drop of
water, and in like manner the third. Doubtless it is truly
terrific to behold a prodigious swell of the sea solemnly and
regularly approaching the boat as if it was determined to
overwhelm you in its surge, and actually breaking into one
horrible foam close to the boat's nose, or equally near its

THE USE OF THE CATAMARAN 187

stern, destruction thus staring you in the face. The people
of the Masulah boats are however so clever, and by long
experience know so well, in fact to a foot, where the break
of the surf will happen, that they run to the very edge
without encountering it. Accidents do sometimes occur
from various causes, in which cases the boat either fills and
sinks, or turns broadside to the surf and is inevitably over-
set, in both which dilemmas you have no chance of salvation
except from your own skill in swimming, or being picked up by
the Catamarans. Going towards the shore is not attended
with the same degree of risk because you are pursuing the
same course as the surf does, whereas in going off you meet
the enemy directly in your teeth. The boat people watch
between the surfs until they see it has broken three or
four times heavily in the same place, then make a dart
and pull over the swell ere it has renewed its strength so
as to break. We all three felt happy when we were fairly
over it, and we had the satisfaction to see that our boat
was better managed than two others that put off at the
same time we did, both continuing between the first and
second surfs until long after we passed the outer one. Of
course we kept the promise Chisholme had made, and
liberally rewarded the Masulah and Catamaran people.

We reached the ship a little after eight o'clock in tne
morning. At two in the afternoon our good Captain came
on board in the "accommodation" boat, as it is called, which
belongs to Government, and is always lent to persons of rank
and consequence. Formerly it was sometimes lent to Com-
manders of Indiamon, when they were treated with more
attention and respect than of late. The seats of this boat arc
broader and lower than the common Masulahs, a larger com-
plement of rowers who are decently clothed, and in every res-
pect bettor fitted up, though perhaps not a bit safer. Indeed,
I have understood she has oftener met with accidents than
any other. A very serious one occurred lately, in which
the Colonel of Do Meuron's German regiment, with a child
and two servants, going off to a ship in which they were to
have proceeded to Europe, all perished, the boat being

188 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

overset in the outer surf. Captain Waddell came on board
completely wet from the boat's having twice filled in un-
successful attempts to pass the second surf. The last time
lie told us he was so convinced she must go down that he
was just preparing to strike out and depend upon his
swimming, when the helmsman begged him to sit where he
was and he would carry him through. Luckily he was able
to keep his word,

With the Captain there came off a little weazen faced,
elderly Armenian, who was going upon some mercantile
business to China, and upon entering the ship seemed
scared out of his wits.

Immediately after our commander came on board we got
under way, as did five other of the ships bound to China,
not one of which, except the Triton, could sail with the
Plassey. We had a pleasant breeze, and after running
about five leagues, the objects on shore diminishing fast,
a sailor at the main top gallant mast head called out that
a Catamaran was following us, one of the people waving a
cloth. We thereupon hove to, and soon saw her with our
spying glasses. In an hour and a half she reached us and
delivered a letter from the Governor containing another
for the chief supercargo at Canton. Captain Waddell
having written a receipt for this packet at the particular
request of the man who delivered it, asked him why he had
not given it to one of the ships astern, by which he would
have saved three or more leagues hard work, to which
the man answered, " How could I possibly do that when my
orders were to deliver it to the Captain of the Plassey" an
obedience and attention to orders that I am afraid few
Europeans under similar circumstances would have ob-
served. Captain Waddell made the poor creatures very
happy by a present of some ship biscuit, which the natives
of Coromandel are particularly fond of, and a couple of
bottles of rum, with which in high glee they left the ship,
assuring us they should regain the shore soon after dark.
By this Catamaran I wrote to my friend Eider and Mr.
Dawson, the man undertaking to deliver them, for which I

THE MONTPELIER OF INDIA 189

gave him a pagoda to Ms great surprize and joy. These
honest creatures may always be depended upon faithfully
to execute whatever they undertake if practicable. Having
dispatched the Catamaran we once more made sail.

The fifth day we saw Pulo Penang, at the mouth of the
Straits of Malacca, at that time uninhabited, but where the
East India Company long since formed a colony, now in
a flourishing state, having docks constructed in the har-
bour of sufficient dimensions to receive and repair ships of
the line, and where several capital vessels have been built.
Its name has been changed to Prince of Wales's Island.
It was long considered the Montpelier of India, and in-
valids from every quarter were sent there for recovery of
health, but during the last four years it has in some measure
lost its reputation for salubrity, numbers of the inhabitants
having died, amongst whom were Mr. Dundas, the Gover-
nor, and his lady, the latter not actually dying upon the
Island, as she was sent to Bengal with a hope of saving
her, but she survived her arrival in Calcutta only three or
four days.

Mr. Oliphant, first in Council, the Chief Surgeon, and
many other gentlemen of inferior rank also fell sacrifices
to the disorder prevalent that season. The fate of Mr.
Grey, the second in Council, was peculiarly hard. Having
been attacked by the malady that proved fatal to so many,
he was induced to accept the offer of a passage to Europe
in the Blenheim, Admiral Sir Thomas Troubridge's flag
ship, and in which the Admiral himself was about to return
home, notwithstanding the Captain and every officer
belonging to her pronounced her unfit for such a voyage,
and that if they met with any bad weather she must go to
the bottom. Sir Thomas was obstinate in his determination,
at the same time telling his Captain and officers he did not
insist upon their keeping their stations, and that all, or
any of them, were at full liberty to quit the Blenheim. The
Captain answered he certainly considered the embarking in
her desperate, yet as he (the admiral) chose to risk his life,
he (the Captain) thought it his duty to keep the command

190 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

whatever the consequence might be to himself. The
Lieutenants, actuated by the same mistaken spirit, gave
similar answers to the Captain. Mr. Grey, although knowing
the general opinion held respecting the ship, and who was
himself an admirable seaman, having commanded the
Phoenix and Rose East Indiamen several voyages, yet he
too ventured to go in her, taking his wife, a beautiful young
woman, to whom he had been but a short time married,
with him. The event justified what the captain and
officers thought of her condition. On the voyage home she
foundered, and every soul on board perished. Thus were
near seven hundred lives sacrificed to the inflexible obsti-
nacy of an individual.

The great change in the healthiness of Prince of Wales's
Island created general surprize, and various conjectures were
made as to the cause of it, one of which was that the chief
spring that supplied the inhabitants with drinking water
had been suddenly impregnated with a noxious and poison-
ous vegetable over which the stream ran in the way from
its source, but this idea never was satisfactorily established.

We ran through part of the Straits of Malacca with
delightful weather and smooth water, in company with the
Triton, for whom however we had daily been obliged to
shorten sail several hours, until we reached the Dutch
settlement of Malacca, where the two commanders agreed
to stop and fill their water casks, having left Madras rather
short supplied with that requisite article owing to the surf
being high several days previous to our leaving it. We
accordingly came to an anchor and immediately went on
shore to a neat, pretty looking town, in which we fixed
our abode at a tavern close to the sea, the room in which
we sat commanding a view of the Eoads and shipping.
Captain Elphinstone joined our party, who, being a most
gentlemanlike and pleasing man, proved a great acquisition.
We likewise had his first officer, Mr. Parsloe, with us, a
coxcomb of the superlative degree, who afforded us consider-
able entertainment from an extraordinary propensity to the
marvellous, or, in plain terms, lying. Our table fare was

THE DANGEROUS MALAYS 191

very tolerable, the fish and poultry excellent, but marred
in their cooking, every thing swimming in oil ; the fruits
delicious, one especially so, the mangosteen, which I thought
the most exquisite I ever tasted any where. The flavour
although sweet and rich is extremely delicate, and any
quantity of it might be eaten without risk of injuring the
health. Captain Elphinstone was at them morning, noon,
and night, the whole time lamenting he had so short a
period to enjoy them, for it is impossible to keep them
long ; even on shore they spoil in twenty four hours after
being gathered.

When we were leaving the ship Rogers cautioned me
respecting the women, saying, " Take care of yourself, Bill,
the Malays are a dangerous and revengeful people, and you
who are by nature of an amorous disposition, you will be
looking after the girls, in which case should any of the men
discover you, certainly you will have one of their creeses
up to the hilt in your guts." As he said this with great
gravity, and I was utterly ignorant of the habits or preju-
dices of the people I was going amongst, I resolved to
keep clear of all amours, and have as little as possible to do
with the Malays.

There being no bedchambers for guests at the tavern,
sleeping apartments were engaged and prepared for us
at other houses. McClintock and I agreed to keep to-
gether, but were not able so to do from there not being
a room with two beds in it. After supper we retired
to our respective chambers. Mine was a large one level
with the street, into which it looked, having a decent
bed and furniture. Dismissing the servant who attended
me to it, I examined the windows, which I found well
secured by strong iron bars. I then locked the door inside,
undressed and laid down, as I conceived in perfect security.
Notwithstanding the intense heat which instantly threw
me into a profuse perspiration, the violent exercise I had
taken in the day so fatigued me that I soon fell into a deep
sleep, from which I was suddenly awakened by some
person's shaking me. Greatly alarmed, I bounced up, nor

192 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

was my terror diminished when I saw by the light of the
moon that shone in the room a Malay man, almost naked,
leaning over me at the bed side. I cried out "Who is
there ? Who are you ? What do you want ? " to which
he answered in broken English "Master caree (want)
piccaninee girl, I catch bring here. Master not holloa, not
frighten." Much relieved at hearing such to be the object
of his unwelcome visit, I quickly replied, " No, no, I thank
you I am too much tired."

The man upon my repeated negative said, " Den me go,
Master. Salaam, Master," and to my inexpressible astonish-
ment instantly made his exit by jumping out at the window
I had imagined so well secured. The moment he was out
I rose to examine how this could have happened, and then
discovered that one of the bars was without either nail
or screw at the bottom, and altogether so loose that it
could be pushed sufficiently on one side to admit a man to
pass through.

While I was busily employed about these bars, I heard a
sort of stifled laugh near at hand in the street, upon which
I began to suspect some trick. After watching near an
hour without further noise or interruption I laid down in
my clothes, for I had dressed myself when the fellow dis-
appeared, hoping to get a little rest, but all my endeavours
were in vain. I therefore lay sweating until daylight and
then walked out into the town.

At breakfast I found from the whispering and laughing
of the party that a plan had been made to frighten me,
which object had certainly been accomplished. Mr. Parsloe,
with a broad grin, hoped I had rested well, and had pleasant
dreams. Rogers afterwards told me the scheme was suggested
by Parsloe, but they had no notion that in such a dreadful
heat I should soon have got to sleep, for had they, they
would not have disturbed me.

The Malay man they had employed was a servant at the
tavern, and the very best pimp in the place, which qualifica-
tion I benefited by the next night. Rogers, I learned (from
himself) had taken the trouble of going with a carpenter in

HOW A JOKE WAS PLAYED 198

the afternoon, to take out the fastenings from the bar of
the window for the man to enter at.

The morning after we anchored we saw the other ships
that left Madras at the same time we did, pass in the
offing.

CHAPTER XVI

CANTON

A ITEE spending four days very agreeably at Malacca,
jLjL where we found much to see and entertain us, we re-
turned to the Plassey and proceeded on our way to China,
still accompanied by the Triton, but the additional water she
had taken in so altered her sailing for the worse that on the
second day we ran away and left her. Having cleared the
Straits, our daily conversation was the probability of en-
countering a Tuffoon, or violent gale of wind so called,
frequently happening in the China Seas towards the latter
part of the year. Captain Waddell, in jocularity, used
to desire me to keep a good look out of an evening, and if
the sun set, as seamen phrase it, angrily, casting a copper
tint all over the sky, attended with a thick heavy atmo-
sphere, we might expect a puff in a few hours. Four days
after the captain had mentioned these symptoms to me,
I was sure from his conversation with the officers at break-
fast, and the orders he gave, that he expected bad weather.
It was then blowing fresh, and by the hour of dinner the
wind so increased that the top sails were close reefed.

The sun that evening did set as he had described, the
appearance being quite horrible ; the thick and heavy
clouds were of a dismal deep orange colour and the sea
became extremely agitated. The top gallant masts and
yards were lowered upon deck and every preparation made
for encountering a tempest. By eight in the evening it
blew so tremendously that every sail was taken in and we
ran under bare poles. At nine, in an instant, the wind shifted
almost to the opposite point. So sudden and violent was it
that had a single yard of cativas been out the consequences
might have been serious. As it was, we immediately hove
to. We lay tumbling about sadly, and had a dismal night,

194

THE TRIAL OF THE PLASSEY 195

shipping heavy seas, which swept away every thing they
came against. The gale was accompanied by excessively
vivid lightning and thunder as if the artillery of the world
had all been discharged at once. This was the first storm
I had ever been in, and greatly did the effects of it sur-
prize me. The Plassey was one of the best sea boats that
ever swam, behaving, as the seamen said, wonderfully well,
yet the motion was so quick and violent that every timber
and plank seemed to shake. All attempts to keep my legs
being useless, I retired to my cot, which every moment
struck the deck on one side or the other. Day light made
no favourable change. About eleven in the morning 1 got
up, and being young and active I managed to got upon
deck, where the grandeur of the scene, terrific as it was,
greatly surprized me. I fastened myself with a rope upon
the quarter deck by the advice of the Doctor, who had
scarcely given it when the ship, taking a deep and desperate
lee lurch, he lost his hold, and away he flew like a shot to
leeward, falling with great force against the ship's side,
his head striking within two inches of the aftermost port
out of which every body upon deck thought ho must have
gone. He had a narrow escape from a watery grave, and
was dreadfully bruised from the violence of tho fall.

Our cargo from Madras being cotton, the ship was so crank
that she sometimes lay for half an hour at a time in a manner
water logged, her gunwale being completely enveloped
in the sea, so that I frequently thought she never would
right again. Tho gale continued all the second day and
night, but towards morning of tho third moderated and
soon after fell calm. The sea being enormously high and
confused, the ship rolled and pitched to such a degree that
the masts were every moment expected to go over her side.
So serious a disaster fortunately for us did not happen, and
after several hours terrible tumbling about in all directions,
a fresh breeze and from the right quarter, sprung up ;
we made sail, which steadied the ship, and tho following
day saw the Grand Ladrones, a cluster of Islands oil the
coa&t of China.

196 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

Severe as the storm had been, we did not start a rope
yarn nor receive the slightest damage in any way. I never
saw a creature so terrified as the poor devil of an Armenian.
In the height of the gale he frequently asked me what was
to become of us, and what I would advise him to do. Vexed
at his absurd question, and the childishness of his behaviour,
I answered, " I recommend you to grin and bear it," (an
expression used by sailors after a long continuance of bad
weather). Not at all understanding my meaning, he soon
after addressed Chisholme, requesting an explanation.
Unluckily for him Mr. Chisholme was out of temper, and
damning his blood for a stupid old brute, bid him go to
hell, at the same time giving him a push that drove him
several yards, and down he fell flat on his back. He raised
himself as well as he could, crawled to his cabin, and we
saw no more of him until the ship was safe at an anchor.

As we approached the land, the wind moderated, the
weather became clear, and the sea subsided. In a few hours
a small vessel came along side from which we got a Chinese
pilot, who conducted the ship through the Bogue, a narrow
channel or inlet from the ocean to the river, not near half a
mile broad, with a fort upon each side, which passed the
river spreads to a gteat width, and appears covered with
boats of diSerent sizes.

Our sea pilot having taken the ship into Macao roads,
we there anchored to wait the arrival of a river pilot,
and were told we had no chance of one until the following
day. I therefore after dinner went on shore to this miserable
place, where there is a wretched ill constructed fort belong-
ing to the Portuguese, in which I saw a few sallow faced,
half naked, and apparently half starved creatures in old
tattered coats that had once been blue, carrying muskets
upon their shoulders, which, like the other accoutrements,
were of a piece with their dress. These wretches were
honoured with the title of " soldiers." Not only the men,
but every thing around bespoke the acme of poverty and
misery. Satisfied with what I had seen, and nothing
tempted by a printed board indicating the house upon which

WHAMPOA 19T

it was fixed to be " The British Hotel " where was to be
found "elegant entertainment and comfortable lodging,"
I did not even take a look within, but walked as fast as my
legs could carry me to the sea side, where McClintoek, as
disgusted as myself with Macao, had procured a boat, in
which we returned to our own really comfortable apartment
on board the Plassey. Whilst on shore we learnt that none
of the other ships had yet entered the river, but that there
were several direct from England then laying at Whampoa.

In the afternoon of the next day, having procured a
pilot, we proceeded upwards, and in thirty hours were
safely moored at Whampoa, having in the passage passed two
bars, or banks of sand, which, when the tide was out, had
only seven feet upon them. We arrived at our moorings on
the llth of August, having been only thirty three days from
Madras, which was the shortest voyage that had then ever
been made by an East Indiaman. We found at anchor
five English ships, four Swedes, six French, four Danes,
and three Dutch, all the foreigners being of the immense
burthen of from twelve to fifteen hundred tons.

Whampoa is pleasantly situated, having two islands close
to the ships, one called Deans, upon which each ship
erects what is called a " bankshall," being a lightly con-
structed wooden building from sixty to one hundred feet
in length, into which the upper masts, yards, spars, sails,
rigging and stores are deposited, and, previous to being
re-embarked, are all repaired and put into order. The other
is called French Island, where the officers and sailors walk, or
amuse themselves at different games for exercise and pastime.
Upon French Island all the Europeans who die are buried.

The morning after we reached Whampoa, which we got to
at dusk, I was awakened at sun rise by the sound of music
appearing to come from different directions, the effect being
delightful. Looking out of the Quarter gallery window, I
saw that each of the foreign ships had an excellent band,
consisting of every description of wind and martial instru-
ments, the whole striking up the moment the sun appeared
above the horizon, continuing to play for an hour. The

198 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

same thing was done in the evening, an hour previous to sun
set. I never heard any thing that pleased me more.

After breakfast, the Captain's barge being made ready,
with jack, ensign, and pennant flying, the crew all in clean
white shirts, and black caps, Captain Waddell, Mr. McClin-
took, the Armenian, and myself got into it, and the men
pulled away for Canton, distant from Whampoa about
eighteen miles. The heat of the sun was intense, and I felt
much for the rowers. On the way two Chinese buildings were
pointed out to us as Hoppo, or Custom houses, at both which
all boats, except those belonging to the commanders of
European ships, which in compliment to their flag are ex-
empted, are obliged to stop and undergo a strict search or
examination by a petty mandarin, like our Custom house
officers, to ascertain that there is nothing contraband on
board. We were also shewn, when nearly half way, a small
inlet or creek called " Lob Lob Creek," from whence in
"sampans" (the name of the country boats) came forth
certain women, who, if required so to do, board the
boats. The females who ply at Lob Lob Creek are
supposed so to do by stealth. I say supposed, because the
fact is that they pay a proportion of their earnings to the
mandarin upon duty, who thereupon, like an upright
administrator of justice, shuts his eyes and his ears to the
breach of the law, those public officers being invariably cor-
rupt. In fact, there is scarce any offence or crime, murder
not excepted, that the perpetrator may not free himself
from punishment for by paying a certain sum, according
to the nature or degree of enormity of his offence. Money
seems to be the idol they all worship.

We arrived at Canton about noon. The view of the city
as you approach it is strikingly grand, and at the same
time picturesque. The magnitude and novelty of the
architecture must always surprize strangers. The scene
upon the water is as busy a one as the Thames below
London Bridge, with this difference, that instead of our
square rigged vessels of different dimensions, you there
have junks, which, in the middle of the fair weather

THE CHINESE JUNKS 199

season they navigate all along the coast of China,
and even to the Straits of Malacca, yet never go out of
sight of land, and for this plain reason they are wholly
ignorant of navigation and all its advantages. A junk is
so constructed that one would be led to suppose the in-
ventor's principal object had been to deter mankind from
venturing upon salt water. Their shape lengthways is rather
more than a semicircle, each end being many feet higher than
the centre. At the stern there is a recess angular wise several
feet in depth, of no possible use, and it looks as if it was
intended to give every sea that strikes her abaft a fair chance
of splitting the unwieldy machine in two. Upon each bow
is painted an enormous eye, and if enquiry is made what they
are for, the answer is, "Hi yaw, no have eyes, how can
see." They draw but little water, seldom more than five
feet when loaded, have only one mast, with a slight bamboo,
occasionally, used as a top mast. Their sails are made of
reeds, looking much like a mat, and answer the intended
purpose very well, at least in the hands of Chinamen. In
smooth water and before the wind they sail tolerably, but
make sad work against an adverse wind or high sea. Being
bigoted to every thing that has been handed down from
their ancestors, there is no prevailing upon them to attempt
improvement in any way. If shewn how deficient they are
in many respects, and how greatly they might benefit by
adopting European practice in arts and manufactures, they
without hesitation admit our superiority with the utmost
sang froid, adding in favour of their own habits, cc Truly this
have China custom."

It is reported that the captain of a Country trading
ship had, many years ago, influence enough over the
commander of a junk, to prevail on him to learn
sufficient of navigation to justify his leaving the land
entirely, and having surmounted that prejudice, he sup-
plied a compass and quadrant, teaching his pupil the use
of both, and further became principal owner of a cargo
put on board the junk for a distant port. The vessel, under
these circumstances boldly went to sea, completing in

200 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

little more than three weeks a voyage that thentofore took
six months. She returned with a cargo that yielded such
a profit as enabled the captain, who had been admitted to
a share, to quit the sea, and retire to enjoy himself amidst
his family, This lucky event encouraged another Chinese to
pursue the same course. He sailed with equal success to
Malacca, and other places on the east coast, disposing of
his merchandize to prodigious advantage, and with his
accumulated riches, sailed from an island at the border of
the Straits on his return to China, but unfortunately did
not reach it, nor ever was heard of. This misfortune
the prejudiced people ascribed entirely to his having
those diabolical instruments (the quadrant and compass)
on board his vessel. These bigots, on being reminded
that the preceding captain had succeeded with the same
instruments, said, "Hy yaw, that man have too much
ee good friend with devil come." Since that no Chinese
has ever ventured to trespass upon their old mode of
coasting !

Nothing appears more extraordinary to the eyes of a
stranger at Canton than the innumerable boats of different
sizes with which the river is covered for many miles together.
The sampan is a commodious boat, and usually has three
rooms, the largest in the centre. The bottom and deck
over the rooms or cabins are of a light but close grained
wood, the divisions and sides are formed of matted work,
split bamboos, and rattans, painted of different colours and
ornamented with a variety of figures, making a neat appear-
ance. They are guided, or steered, as you may call it,
by a man standing upon a projecting plank near her stern,
with a long oar or paddle, having two, four, six, and so on
up to fourteen rowers, according to the size of the boat.
With the tide, which runs rapidly, they can pull them from
six to nine miles an hour. Who]e families reside entirely
in their sampans, not going on shore once in six months.
They carry on their respective trades or businesses upon
the water, buying and selling precisely the same as in a
inarket ; the butchers, bakers., &c., having each a fixed

CHINESE WOMEN AND CHILDREN 201

station, so that everyone knows exactly where to go for
what he wants.

The females of the higher order are entirely secluded,
take no part in domestic arrangements, nor ever mix in
society, or are even seen except by their nearest relations,
living in indolence and luxury, whilst the poor women
in humble life are made to execute the most laborious
and menial services oi the house or sampan. These are
frequently seen tugging at an oar, having one infant re-
ceiving its nourishment at the breast and another slung
behind her. Each child has a vegetable substance, some-
what resembling a gourd or pumpkin, fastened to its back,
which, being of a buoyant nature, if the infant falls over-
board floats it until picked up by its parents or any oilier
sampan that happens to bo near. The plant that thus
floats the child, lias the number and station of the sampan
to which it belongs cut in Chinese characters upon it, by
which the child is at once ascertained., otherwise in such a
multitude of boats great confusion would arise. It scarcely
ever happens that any one is drowned. The women who
are not doomed to slave for broad, have in early infancy
shoes of iron, or some equally hard substance, put upon
their feet, which confine them so closely as to prevent the
growth. The pain consequent of so stnmge a custom must
be dreadful, yet custom that operates alike in all countries
and upon all persons enables them to endure it. They are
of course cripples, and can scarce walk. The men are vain,
and anxious to show that they are not obliged to labour
for a livelihood. Thus an artist;, that is, a painter, a person
who writes, and many other lines, lets the nail on the
little finger of his left hand grow to an enormous length,
thereby making it known that ho is not a common handi-
craft fellow ! To preserve this long nail from being broke
when asleep, they every iii^ht fix over it and the finger a
thin case of wood or metal.

About half a mile above the City suburbs, in going from
Whampoa, is a wharf, or embankment, regularly built of
brick and mortar, extending more than halt a milo in length,

202 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

upon which wharf stands the different factories or places
of residence of the Supercargoes, each factory having the
flag of its nation on a lofty ensign staff before it. At the
time I was in China they stood in the following order, First,
the Dutch, then, the French, the English, the Swedes, and
last, the Danes. Each of these factories, besides admirable
banqueting, or public rooms for eating, &c., have attached
to them sets of chambers, varying in size according to the
establishment. The English being far more numerous
than any other nation trading with China, their range of
buildings is much the most extensive. Each supercargo
has four handsome rooms ; the public apartments are in
front looking to the river ; the others go inland to the
depth of two or three hundred feet, in broad courts, having
the sets of rooms on each side, every set having a distinct
and separate entrance with a small garden, and every sort
of convenience. Besides the factories which belong to the
East India Company there are also others, the property of
Chinese, who let them to European and Country Captains of
ships, merchants and strangers whom business brings to
Canton. For several years there has been an Imperial flag
flying before a factory occupied by the Germans. The
Americans (whom the Chinese distinguish by the expressive
title of second chop Englishmen) have also a flag. The
number of supercargoes employed by the English East
India Company in the year 1769 was twelve, but when we
arrived there were only eleven resident, one being in Europe
for recovery of his health. Those present were Messieurs
Revell, Devisme, Torriano, Phipps, Wood, Harrison, Bevan,
Rous, Eaper, Blake, and Bradshaw. There were also two
writers, Pigou and Rogers, who after five years' service
become supercargoes.

Upon our landing Captain Waddell immediately con-
ducted Mr. McClintock and me to Mr. Revell, the chief
supercargo, who after an exchange of compliments, took
us to a handsome suite of rooms, consisting of two spacious
bed chambers with dressing room adjoining each, two
large sitting rooms, and one for eating the whole neatly

LUXURIOUS QUARTERS 203

furnished, and having a complete small library. Of these
apartments he gave me the keys, saying they were for
the exclusive use of Mr. McClintock and myself during
our stay in China. He also observed that as it was cus-
tomary for gentlemen to breakfast in their own chambers,
every requisite would be amply supplied by the factory
steward. He further informed us that all the super-
cargoes, and any guests that honoured them with their
company, daily dined together in the great hall at two
o'clock, but if at any time from indisposition or choosing
to be alone, we preferred dining in private, upon communi-
cating such wish to the steward he would bring a bill of
fare, and furnish whatever articles we ordered therefrom.
After this gracious reception, he left us to repose or do as
we thought proper until dinner. McClintock and I sallied
forth and were much entertained with the novelty of the
scene. We entered several shops, and were soon surprized
to find it was time to dress. In our way home I was at a
loss which way to turn at the corner of a street, and my
companion declared himself equally so, whereupon one of
the most lovely boys I ever beheld, who had heard our
doubts, came up with the utmost ease and familiarity,
though with perfect politeness, saying,

" I presume, gentlemen, you want to go to the Company's
Factory. If so, I shall have the pleasure to conduct you as
this gentleman," pointing to an elderly, stiff, and remarkably
upright man, with a fan in his hand, " and I are going there."

We accepted the proffered civility of this charming
youth, and thus commenced an acquaintance which ripened
into as sincere a friendship as ever subsisted between two
persons, and which continued uninterrupted for thirty
years, ending only in his death. After walking a hundred
yards, he wished his companion good morning, saying,
"As we young folk shall move quicker than you like, we
will leave you, but shall soon meet again." He then took
hold of my arm and led the way. During our walk he asked
my name and that of my companion, which, having com-
municated to him, he jocularly said :

204 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

" The old quiz who just left us is Stephen Devisme, a
devilish odd sort of a body, at present second supercargo,
and will soon be chief, as Revell is going home this season.
You'll like him well enough. I play all sorts of tricks with
the old buck. Perhaps you have already heard of me, for
I make myself conspicuous at Canton, but lest you should
not, I am Bob Pott. I command the Cruttenden."

Observing I smiled at the latter part of his speech, he
said :

6C Aye, aye, you may laugh and think me a young hand
to command an East Indiaman, but it's very true for all
that.' 5

Pott was at this period not quite fourteen, and as already
observed the most beautiful lad. Every feature perfect, re-
markably fair complexion, with a profusion of bright auburn
hair hanging in natural ringlets about his head and face,
most piercing eyes, and a figure of the exactest symmetry :
there was altogether a something about him irresistibly
attracting and engaging. Having shewn us to our rooms
he said he would wait while we dressed, and then attend
us to the dining hall. Upon our arrival there he introduced
us to Mr. Devisme and Mr. Wood (the only two gentlemen
then in the room) with an ease and grace that would have
become the most elegant courtier. Having letters from
Madras friends to both Mr. Devisme and Mr. Wood, I took
them from my pocket- and delivered them. The two gentle-
men thereupon requested I would command their services
upon every occasion during my stay at Canton. In a few
minutes Pott observed another gentleman coming up
stairs, when laying hold of my hand he drew me towards
the door, saying in a low voice, " That is my chief mate."
Then quitting me he went up to the stranger, took him by
the arm and leading him up to me, made us shake hands,
saying to the gentleman, " You must be friends with Mr.
Hickey, for I have a great liking to him," and turning to
me he added, " This is Captain Baker of the Cruttenden,
my ship," winking significantly. Captain Baker smiled and
patting his proteg6 upon the head, said, " My dear Bob,

BOB POTT 205

there is no occasion for any new aid being called in
purpose of completely spoiling an already
spoiled boy." Whilst this was passing, Mr. Revell and the
other supercargoes came in, with the commanders of the
different European ships, also Mr. Carvalho, an elegant
looking man, who was supercargo to several large Country
ships then at Whampoa.

Mr. Kevell having introduced McClintock and me to
the whole party, we sat down, in number about thirty,
to a capital dinner consisting of fish, flesh and fowl, all
of the best, with a variety of well dressed made dishes, being
served up in two courses, followed by a superb dessert,
the wines, claret, madeira, and hock, all excellent, and
made as cold as ice. Mr, Devisme placed me next to him,
and was attentive as possible. He briefly gave me some
account of every person at table, in doing which I could per-
ceive an inclination to bo satirical. Having discussed the
characters of the adults, he continued, " Young Pott is a
boy of uncommon talents, but volatile to excess, and full of
mischief as a monkey, and I am truly concerned to see every
person in tho factory, except myself, endeavouring to ruin
him by every species of indulgence, and encouraging instead
of checking his wild sallies and mischievous propensities.
In short, sir, this place will undo him." Notwithstanding
this grave speech, I soon discovered he was one of the worst
spoilers himself. He told mo Pott was the son of the
surgeon so well known for superior abilities in his pro-
fession, who having a numerous family of children, was
compelled to put them into different lines of life. Robert
was intended for the sea, this being his own choice, and
was accordingly shipped as a Guinea pig, (the name given
to boys on their first voyage) on board tho Crutlenden, so
called after a brother of Mrs. Pott's, who was in the India
Direction, and principal owner of that and other vessels of
the Company, of ono of which he (Robert) was to have
the command when competent to assume it. I afterwards
heard that Captain Baker was a man who made his own
interest tho first object upon all occasions, and being

206 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

dependent upon Pott's family for his success in life, he felt
the propriety of courting them in every way, and naturally
enough thought he could not do so more effectually than by
shewing every possible attention to their young favorite,
Robert, who, under that impression, was permitted to do
whatever he pleased, the indulgencies being carried so far
that the boy was not very wide of the truth in telling me
he commanded the Cruttenden.

After sitting .near three hours at table, the company
separated, Mr. Revell telling me we should assemble again
to tea and coffee at seven. Mr. Harrison then asked me
to join three or four friends in his room, to which I accom-
panied him, where I found Mr. Rous, Wood, Bradshaw,
and Pott, already seated at a table with bottles and glasses,
and all, except Pott, partook of some uncommon fine
claret, Messrs. Harrison and Rous smoking cheroots. Here
Bob (for so he insisted upon being so called) placed himself
close by me, expressing his joy in the mo'st energetic terms
at my having come amongst them, as I was the first reason-
able creature he had seen since he came to China.

" Y,our chum," (continued he) " I cannot say so much of.
To be sure he is a good looking fellow, but then there is
something so cold, so damned repulsive and formal that he
makes me sick, and I wonder how the devil you can endure
one so every way unlike yourself."

I defended my friend as well as I could, telling Bob he
greatly mistook the character of McClintock, and upon
better acquaintance he would like him, that he was by
nature mild and gentle, but perhaps graver just now than
usual from being in bad health and in the midst of strangers.
I also said that as he had been pleased so hastily to form
a favourable opinion of me, and the reverse of McClintock,
I apprehended he might shortly see occasion to change his
sentiments in both respects, of course to my disadvantage.
He here interrupted me with,

" No, no. I am clear I am right. I am an admirable
physiognomist, and never was deceived by a countenance
in my life. You and I shall be staunch friends to the end of

A LASTING FRIENDSHIP 207

our lives. However I shall be glad to see occasion to admit
that I am wrong respecting McClintock, and rest assured
that if I do I have candour enough to allow it. Everybody
says I am a wild and giddy chap, but I trust you will never
find me obstinately persist in an error, especially as in the
present case, where I had much rather find myself wrong
than right."

He certainly prophesied truly as to ourselves ; we did
remain unalterable and fast friends till his death termi-
nated it.

At seven in the evening we returned to the hall and
drank coffee and tea, after which some went to cards, some
to billiards, whilst others walked up and down, or sat
chatting on a terrace which projected from the hall and
went several feet over the river, being supported" by large
piles ; the situation was cool and refreshing. At ten supper
was announced, from which every person retired when he
thought proper to his bed. McClintock and I had Chinese
servants appointed to wait upon us, who we found in
attendance at our rooms with candles, slippers and all the
etceteras of the night,

CHAPTER XVII

LIFE IN CANTON

MR. DEVISME had desired us to call upon him after
our breakfast, as he would take us to see the progress
of the manufactures carried on. Before seven o'clock in
the morning I was awakened by Bob Pott bouncing into
the room, calling me a sluggard, insisting on my im-
mediately rising and going along with him to see some
fun. I begged leave to put on my clothes first, to which
he eagerly answered, "Then you will be too late. Slip
on your morning gown and come along, it is only a few
yards off, and no one will see you." I did as he desired,
when he conducted me to a kind of closet over the
billiard room, bidding me look through a small aperture
which he pointed out, from whence I saw a most extra-
ordinary figure which instantly brought to my mind the
renowned Don Quixote, as described in the inimitable ro-
mance bearing that title. It was a tall, lank carcase, ex-
ceedingly stiff and erect, covered by an oil skin which seemed
to adhere to his skeleton form, shewing distinctly his almost
bare bones. On his head he wore a cap of the same material,
cut in a peculiar shape, and making his meagre countenance
and lantern jaws appear still longer than they actually were.
The tout ensemble was the most grotesque I ever beheld.
Not having the most remote idea who it could be, I asked
Pott, who with a laugh replied, " Zounds ! have you so
soon forgot your new acquaintance, Stephen Devisme ? 3>
Whereupon I recognized the dismal features of that gentle-
man. He was giving directions to some servants who were
employed, as I imagined, in washing a parcel of puppies that
were plunging about in a large bathing tub of water, some
of them seeming to be in danger of drowning. Astonished
at the exhibition, I asked Bob the meaning of it, who,

208

DEVISME'S BATH 209

almost convulsed with laughter, told me the old gentleman
regularly every morning between six and seven o'clock
used a cold bath, in which after remaining near an hour, he
rolled himself in a loose gown and lay down upon a couch,
where the men I saw shampooed him. This is a pre-
valent custom iu China, as well as every part of India,
of cracking different joints and rubbing every part of the
body with instruments made for the purpose, improving,
as it is supposed, the circulation of the blood and conducing
to health. The sensation created by this ceremony is odd and
not unpleasant. Many Europeans are extremely fond of it.

" Now/' said Bob, " I deem it right to let him have some
companions in his bath, and therefore yesterday collected
those puppies that you see. By the bye, the cursed animals
kept me awake a great part of the night with their con-
founded howling, and getting up at six this morning I had
them in waiting at the tub, and the moment I heard
Stephen coming clown stairs I popped them in and off I ran
to summon you that you might have a peep."

So strange a prank scarce any one but such a pickle
an Bob would have thought of. He appeared quite de-
lighted at the mortified visage of poor Mr. Dovisme,
who, descending in the expectation of a cool and refreshing
wash to enable him to endure the heat of the rest of the
day, instead of that comfort found his tub occupied by
half a dozen drowning dogs. Upon first seeing the whimsi-
cal figure I exclaimed, " By heavens, it is Don Quixote
himself." This tickled the wicked boy's fancy prodigiously,
and from that timo he never called Mr. Devisme by any
other name than " The Don."

Having finished our breakfast, McClintock and I went
to Mr. Devisme's who, after shewing us a very choice collec-
tion of curiosities of his own, conducted us to the different
manufactures to inspect the progress thereof. On our way
ho informed us that no Europeans whatsoever were ever
allowed to pass the gates of the city, a circumstance, an
ho said, little to be regretted, because in fact there \vat*
nothing iu Canton worth seeing, whereas in the suburbs

210 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

where we were allowed free egress and regress, there was
much deserving the attention of strangers.

We were then shewn the different processes used in
finishing the China ware. In one long gallery we found
upwards of a hundred persons at work in sketching or
finishing the various ornaments upon each particular piece
of the ware, some parts being executed by men of a very
advanced age, and others by children even so young as six
or seven years. Mr. Devisme then led us to some of their
most celebrated painters upon glass, to the fan makers,
workers in ivory, japanners, jewellers, and all the various
artificers of Canton.

After passing the morning greatly to our satisfaction we
returned towards home. Upon getting home we found a
youth waiting for us and who, following the example
of Mr. Pott, told us his name was Revell, son of the chief
supercargo, that when we arrived he was on board the
Earl of Lincoln, in which ship his father was going to
Europe, and that he had only returned from Whampoa
half an hour and directly called to visit us. Young
Kevell was then about fourteen, exceedingly plain in the
face, but his features marked by peculiar drollery, and
I soon discovered that in all sorts of mischievous pranks
he was a complete match for Bob Pott. He was a writer
of that year, upon the Madras establishment., and had
come out in a ship for the purpose of seeing his father.
After rattling for some time with great pleasantry, address-
ing McClintock, he said, " May I be so bold, sir, as to ask
how you spell your name."

" Certainly," answered McClintock, and directly told the
letters.

" Humph," said young Revell, " I find nothing very diffi-
cult to pronounce there, but my father, who you must know,
sir, though I say it that ought not to say it, is a little bit
of an oddity, tells me that for the soul of him he could
not catch the sound of your name yesterday, but from the
^information you ha,ve now kindly furnished me with, I
shall enable him to pronounce it correctly."

THE DIFFICULTIES OF A NAME

At the dinner table we met again, where we had been
seated only a few minutes, when Mr. Revell senior said
"Mr. Macmutton-chop will you do me the favour to drink a
glass of wine." This ridiculous perversion of the name
caused a universal laugh, young Revell in particular abso-
lutely screeched, at which his father was greatly offended,
calling him an impudent puppy, saucy jackanapes, pert
bastard, and other opprobrious epithets, and again address-
ing McClintock said, " I beg your pardon, sir, I presume from
the mirth I have excited that a mistake has been committed
by me. If so, the fault is that little imp of hell's, and entirely
his doing. I verily believe the devil brought him here for
the purpose of tormenting me. The impertinent rascal
never seems happy but when he has an opportunity of
rendering his father contemptible." Then, turning to his
son, he continued, " But I beg leave to tell you, young man,
such conduct docs not at all tend to your credit and must
inevitably sink you in the estimation of all reasonable and
thinking men."

Joe, which was the boy's Christian name, seemed affected,
and gravely expressed his sorrow at having offended, which
was far from his intention, all he thought of being to make
an innocent laugh. The old gentleman, who fondly loved
his boy, instantly replied, "Well, well, Joe, say no more
about it, I believe you would not intentionally distress or
vex me. Co mo and give mo a kiss of oblivion and reconcili-
ation." And peace was thus restored.

There was this day at dinner a Mr. Magee, who had
thcutoforo been Registrar of the Mayor's Court, at Cal-
cutta, which situation he quitted with a good fortune,
returning to England overland, an expedition then rarely
taken by Europeans. The circumstances attending this
journey, the traveller had more pleasure in. relating than
the auditors had in listening to them, the account being
dull and prolix. Joe Revell soon discovered Magce's
foible, and his delight was to set him agoing upon the
subject of Hie marvellous incidents that occurred upon the
journey, and having once got him fairly into the history,

212 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

he would slip away, leaving whoever was unlucky enough
to sit next Magee to listen to the tiresome often told tale of
two hours long, so that at last it became quite ridiculous
to observe the manoeuvres practised by the gentlemen to
avoid getting near Mr. Magee. I was early told that he
made it a rule to give every new comer a full, true, and
particular account of his interesting jaunt. I therefore, in-
stead of avoiding, on the third day placed myself by his
side and listened with much composure to the tiresome
anecdotes of Bussorah, Damascus, Bagdad, and the great
Desert, fee., the company one by one moving off until onl^
he and I remained, The sleepy narrative lasted usually
from two to three hours. Having thus gone through my
ordeal I never afterwards scrupled getting up in the middle
of his harangue if addressed to me. Once, Pott, thinking
me in danger of the old history, came to my assistance,
saying, "Hickey has already done penance, Magee, by
listening to your prosing, and is, like every body in the
factory, resolved to have no more of Bagdad, so you had
better now entertain the Swedes and Danes. Oh, how they
will edify ! Come along, Hickey," and he fairly pulled me
out of the room.

An express now arrived from Whampoa with the agree-
able news of the Triton, and other Madras ships, being
arrived. Several of them, especially the Hector and Notting-
ham, suffered severely in the tuffoon we had encountered ;
the Hector lost all three top masts and materially damaged
her cotton. The Nottingham was thrown upon her beam
ends, and lay water logged so long that the men had axes
in their hands to cut away the lower masts as the only
chance of saving her, when she luckily righted. The follow-
ing day I met my shipmate, Denil Court, who told me that
not liking Madras a bit better than I did, he had availed
himself of an opportunity of leaving it by accepting the
situation of surgeon to the Ashburnham, her doctor being
so ill he was obliged to stay on shore.

The fifth day we dined with Mr. Carvalho, who entertained
us sumptuously, having an excellent band of music playing

AN AFTER DINNER ACCIDENT 213

during our meal. He had two pleasant young men in his
family, with both of whom I lived much for several years
after. One was Mr. Grady, who acquired a large fortune
in Bengal and died in England many years ago ; the other
was Mr. Richard Sullivan, afterwards appointed to the
Company's Civil service at Madras, where he also became
rich, returned to England and there held a post of emolu-
ment under Government. He was created a Baronet and
died a few years back. At Mr. Carvalho's I spent several
of the happiest days of my life.

Our chief mate, Rogers, coming to Canton, informed
me that my acquaintance, Captain Welch of the Osterley,
died in the Straits of Malacca, on the passage from Madras
to China. The first officer, Mr. Fortescue, thereupon suc-
ceeded to the command, and two days after the ship's
arrival at Whampoa the new captain (Fortescue) having
been on board one of the other Indiamen to dinner, on his
return to the Osterley late at night, there being a platform
alongside for the people to stand upon when caulking the
sides, he walked from the boat over it, but in ascending
the steps of the ship his foot slipped and he fell between the
vessel's side and the platform into the water. The tide
then running with rapidity the chances were a thousand to
one against him. However, a quarter master who was upon
the stage with a lantern, the moment the Captain fell put
his arm down as far as he could reach into the water and
most fortunately caught hold of his coat, by which he
drew him up and preserved his life. The then chief mate,
Mr. Lawson, (afterwards Commander of the new Lord
Holland) when he heard Captain Fortescue was thus miracu-
lously saved, swore nothing but his (Lawson's) general ill
luck could have occasioned it. Although this speech was
made apparently in jocularity, those best acquainted with
the speaker firmly believed it came from the heart.

This Lawson was a very extraordinary fellow. Two years
after the above circumstance occurred he found means to
raise a sufficient sum of money to purchase the command of
the ship built in the stead of the Lord Holland lost going into

214 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

Bengal river. He was a prodigious coxcomb both in dress
and manners, and like my friend Douglas was distinguished
in the India service by the title of " Count " Lawson. He
however did not possess equal talents with Douglas for
making money, or at least of keeping it when made. Being
a determined schemer he was perpetually engaging in
some wild speculation which, if you credited his assertions,
could not fail yielding a profit of five hundred per cent. The
event never answered those assertions, or his sanguine hopes
nevertheless he dashed on. Upon his first voyage as
Captain he carried out an investment of thirty thousand
pounds, and was very successful until his return to the
British Channel, where he smuggled property to a large
amount, was informed against, lost the whole of the goods,
and was turned out of the command of the ship. His wife
was a lovely girl whom he married upon becoming a Cap-
tain (at Madras). She was sister to Richard Sullivan, whom
I have already mentioned, and died just after they left
St. Helena homeward bound. Whereupon Lawson, to
shew his attachment and respect for her memory, had the
corpse put into a puncheon of rum that it might be in-
terred on shore. His grief was violent beyond example ;
he never made his appearance after her death until the
ship was running into Cork, where he went on shore and
in three days took to his arms a second wife ! also a beauti-
ful girl. Through the interest of her connexions princi-
pally he got over the smuggling scrape so far as to be
restored to the service, purchased a large French ship (the
Modeste), which he caused to be lengthened, superbly
fitted out in every respect, and she departed for China,
under the name of the LocJco. In her he also took out
an enormous private investment on his own account, which
he disposed of to advantage. A considerable proportion
of it was contraband, and one of his petty officers who
either actually had been, or fancied himself to have been,
ill treated, upon their arrival in England lodged an informa-
tion against him, in consequence of which he was Ex-
chequered and judgments finally given against him for

JOHN BULL'S FISTS 215

near one hundred thousand pounds, the amount recovered
in that Court being trebled. This effectually ruined him,
discharging such a sum was beyond his power ingenious as
he had shewn himself on several occasions. He therefore
absconded as the only means of keeping his person free ;
embarked in a foreign ship, once more for the East, settled
as a merchant at Vizagapatain, where according to public
report he has amassed considerable wealth and only waits the
accomplishment of his endeavours to compromise the Ex-
chequer fines again to visit his native land.

In the beginning of September (1769) the long boat of the
Granby going up from Whampoa to Canton, with treasure
on board, rowed past the Hoppo house without stopping
to be examined. The Chinese officers chased, and over-
taking the long boat, insisted upon their going back. The
style in which this order was given offended the British
tars, and they refused to comply. The Chinamen then
absurdly attempted to enforce their order by violence, and
were all plumped into the river, with a few not very gentle
mementoes from the fists of John Bull. In the scuffle they
gave out that one man was drowned. This transaction set
the whole city in a ferment, mandarins were seen in every
direction, all trade and even the daily supply of provisions
to the ships was stopped, and the crew of the long boat were
required to be given up to be tried for the murder, as they
called it. The supercargoes refused to comply, alleging
that the long boat having treasure on board ought not,
from the usual privilege in such cases, to have been stopped,
and that she had the signal of carrying treasure flying at
the time. The mandarins continued obstinate and as the
evils would have been serious by a mutual perseverance,
a sort of compromise was made by the supercargoes, who
agreed that the long boat and her crew should remain at
the stairs of the factory until the business had been en-
quired into fairly, a person on behalf of the Company being
allowed to be present during the investigation.

Whilst the Enquiry, or Trial, was going on the Jacks
continued their sojourn at Canton, amusing themselves

216 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

every evening by sitting round the flag staff, there lighting
up a number of little candles of different colours, red, white,
green and blue, drinking their grog (sometimes to excess)
and singing their sea ditties, the whimsicality of their
phrases and general conversation greatly entertaining the
supercargoes and their company who were seated, or
walking in the verandah over their heads. One evening
Mr. Devisme, observing that three or four of the seamen
were greatly intoxicated and would not retire to the boat
to sleep, he called over the balustrade to the refractory
men, reminding them how much they endangered their
health by drinking and exposing themselves to the damps
of the night. The admonition was received with perfect
good humour and some sallies of wit. One of the sailors
desired leave to address Mr. Devisme in answer to his speech
and immediately began a volley of the most out of the
way and ludicrous oaths, which, having sent forth, he con-
tinued, " Well done, my hearty cock, you palaver damned
well with that paunch of yours well lined with beef and
pudding, not to speak of the righteous of which I'm
damned if you missed taking your share whilst we poor
dogs down here between decks can scarce get a drop to
wet our whistles. Come now, my hearty, serve us out a
sample and we'll drink the King, God love him, not for-
getting the stingy (East India) Company." Then, turning
to his messmates, he went on, " I say, my lads, I wonder
whether these devils aloft will serve out any grog or not,
but never mind, thank God we're all alive, ain't we, so let's
have three cheers," which were instantly given with the
utmost glee by the whole party. But, poor fellows, before
the same hour of the following evening three of them were
dead, and in the two next days five more expired.

Eight men dying thus suddenly created strong suspicion
of foul play and that poison had been resorted to. Upon in-
telligence of so extraordinary a mortality reaching Wham-
poa, the crews of the whole fleet became outrageous, and the
officers had great difficulty in preventing them from seizing
the arms, and the boats, and proceeding in a body to fire

THE DEADLY DEWS 217

the City of Canton in revenge for the murders of their com-
panions, nor were they pacified until two of the captains,
who fortunately happened to be on board their ships at the
time, pledged their honours that an enquiry of the strictest
nature should take place forthwith to ascertain the real
cause of the death of the eight seamen, and that the result
should be communicated to the fleet. The supercargoes
accordingly summoned every European surgeon then at
Canton, in whose presence the bodies of the first three
that died were opened, and after the most minute inspection
and examination they were unanimously of opinion there
was not a single symptom whereon to found the most dis-
tant probability or even possibility of poison having been
administered, and that the persons lost their lives by ex-
posing themselves, without any covering, to the noxious
dews and vapours of the night. The same examination and
opinion took place as to the other five who died.

Upon this investigation and report the Chinese were con-
tent and relinquished their threatened prosecution. The
seamen were also satisfied, and matters went on as before.
The circumstance, however, caused another death, thus :
The Grariby on her passage out touched at Batavia, a port
always notorious for its unhealthiness, being particularly
fatal to new comers. Within a few hours after she was
moored in the harbour, the prevalent fever of the country
broke out on board ship, and in less than a month sixty of
the crew, with the captain, chief, third, fourth, and sixth
mates, also the surgeon and his assistant, fell martyrs to it,
the only officers that escaped being the second and fifth
mates, and of those two, the second, whose name was Small-
wood, and who succeeded to the command of the ship, was so
affected by the mortality that raged around him as never
afterwards to be himself, becoming hypochondriacal to
the greatest degree. After being seventeen weeks at
Batavia, the Dutch Governor lent sixty men to help in
navigating the ship to China, where they were to be given
up to their supercargoes, and be by them distributed to
euch ships of Holland as might be in want of men.

218 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

Upon the deaths of the eight men as above mentioned.
Captain Smallwood was greatly agitated and depressed, and
notwithstanding the report of the medical gentlemen, he
persisted in a belief that they were all poisoned, and he was
sure that he also should fall a sacrifice to the malignant
and revengeful dispositions of the natives, who would poison
him. The supercargoes, the surgeon of the factory (Mr.
Gordon), an able and learned man, all exerted their en-
deavours to convince the miserable man of his folly, but
without success, he pined and died, convinced he was
poisoned.

Scarce had the surprize and distress occasioned by the
foregoing circumstance subsided, when another not so
serious in its consequences occurred. An order was sent
to the head Cohong merchant to stop all further cargo
being supplied for the ships, Captain Elphinstone, who com-
manded one of them, having been guilty of a gross violation
of the law by introducing a female into Canton. This female
was a smart little Madras girl, to whom the Captain at-
tached himself whilst at Fort St. George, and easily pre-
vailed on her to accompany him to England. Aware that
he could not introduce her at the factory of Canton, he
put upon her the garb of a boy, and as such she attended
her master. Either the Chinese saw through the artifice
or some one of the Captain's domestics betrayed him.
Upon the discovery the poor little girl was violently
seized and sent off a prisoner to Macao. Captain Elphin-
stone well knew the sole object in view was to fleece him
of a sum of money, yet he had no means of avoiding it,
the Chinese being despotic and always taking care to
enforce penalties according to their own pleasure. As
soon therefore as any offence is known, the Government
at once suspend, not only commerce but the supply of
provisions until the culprit, real or imaginary, consents
to pay the mulct required. Indeed, they make security
doubly secure, every ship having a person on, board while
in China who is called, " Compredor," who is responsible
for the good conduct of every man on board, which risk

THE COMPKEDOR 219

he encounters in consideration of laying in her daily stock,
from which a great profit arises. To the Compredor the
magistrate looks in the first instance, who either must
directly pay, or lose his liberty, perhaps his life, if the sum
demanded be so large as to be beyond his power of dis-
charging. Captain Elphinstone directed his Compredor to
settle the business in the best manner he could, and it was
arranged for five hundred dollars ! So much for the
justice of China ! !

CHAPTER XVIII

LIFE IN CANTON (continued)

BOB POTT passed most of his time in our rooms, gener-
ally coming before I was up of a morning. He break-
fasted with us, and if he took it into his head that McClintock
was too long at the meal, or drank too much tea, he without
the least ceremony overset the table. The first time he
practised this, I was very angry at such a quantity of
handsome China being thus mischievously demolished, and
expressed my displeasure thereat, which only excited the
mirth of young pickle. " Why, zounds ! " said he, " you
surely forget where you are. I never suffer the servants to
have the trouble of removing a tea equipage, always throw-
ing the whole apparatus out of window or down stairs.
They easily procure another batch from the steward's
warehouse,"

Doctor Court was a constant source of amusement to us.
He had a mode of entertainment he was extremely partial
to, which he denominated "hunting," and we, in our
morning excursions, sometimes met him "in full cry,"
when he always entreated we would join the chase. His
sport was this. The Chinese are the best pick pockets in the
world, and although a European may not with impunity
strike one of them, yet should he detect a rogue in the very
act of thieving, he is allowed to belabour the offender as
much, and as long, as he pleases. Court, with all his eccen-
tricities, possessed a great share of good sense, and al-
though he affected the look and manners of an idiot to
answer some private purpose, never in material points
betrayed a deficiency of understanding. The Chinese con-
sidered him to be absolutely mad, an idea that he en-
couraged with a view to annoy and torment them by
various tricks, with the less risk to himself, as they never

220

DOCTOR COURT'S CHASE 221

thought of complaining of a madman. He therefore used
to tie one end of his handkerchief fast to the button hole
of an under flap he had to his coat pockets, leaving the
other end hanging carelessly, as it were by accident, out of
his pocket, and thus, with a vacant stare, stalk negligently
up and down the most public and frequented streets of the
suburbs. The light fingered gentry, attracted by the
appearance of the handkerchief, soon followed, making a
snatch at the hoped for prize. The instant Court felt the
jerk, or attempt, he suddenly turned upon the thief whom
he began to thrash with a stout but pliant bamboo he
carried in his hand for the purpose. The fellow upon this
usually took to his heels, Court pursuing, every now and
then as he came within reach, taking a lick at him, and
thus he would " chase " until out of breath and tired, or
that the pick pocket darted into some narrow passage or
house for shelter, to the infinite entertainment of the
spectators.

His common address when he entered our rooms was,
" Come, my worthies, (a favourite word of his) here's a
charming day for hunting, allons done" He was perpetually
playing some tricks upon the Chinamen, whereby he plagued
them exceedingly, so that many of the principal shop-
keepers set people to watch when the mad doctor was
coming, and upon receiving notice of his approach barri-
caded their doors against him.

Late in September a strange little man arrived from
Madras in a Country ship, calling himself General De
Castro. He was, or had been, a Jew, the ugliest rascal I
ever beheld, not quite five feet in height and altogether
so ridiculous a figure that the able pencil of Banbury could
scarcely have caricatured him. Yet this every way con-
temptible little animal was superlatively vain, conceiving
himself an object of envy to the men, and of admiration and
love to the women. His dress was as extravagant and absurd
as his person was outre. He never appeared without being
covered with lace and finery, thereby rendering his diminu-
tive figure more laughable. He gave himself out as a

222 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

General officer in the service of the Nabob of Arcot, where
he had acted the part of a hero, and often been the pre-
server of the Carnatic, of which his employer was so sensible
that he had rewarded him with no less a sum than one
hundred thousand pounds ! He was a good natured silly
blockhead, and proved a new butt for Court to exercise
his talents upon ; which he lost no opportunity of doing.
Unfortunately this little Jew general took a liking to me ;
he followed me about wherever I went, and made me, much
against my inclination, the confident of all his secrets. He
was of a nervous habit, and fancied himself a martyr to a
variety of diseases which were rapidly undermining his
naturally vigorous constitution, and killing him. He more
than once came to my bedside in the middle of the night,
awaking me to let me know it was all over with him, and
he at the last gasp actually expiring. The first time he
did this I was much distressed, got up as fast as I could and
posted away to Dr. Gordon, who, hearing the cause of my
unseasonable visit, requested I would not allow myself
to be duped by that little wretch's whims and fancies, that
he had twice or thrice disturbed him in the same manner,
when finding nothing ailed him he forbid his ever coming to his
apartments, or upon any account presuming to send for him
in the night, notwithstanding which prohibition he had been
there the preceding one, but instead of administering either
medecine or comfort, he (the Doctor) assured the would be
patient the next time he thus made his appearance he would
give him such a drubbing as he should not speedily forget.

After receiving this account from the Doctor, I told
the General what had passed and that he only fancied
himself ill. His nocturnal visits were nevertheless con-
tinued, and he became so troublesome I was obliged to
insist upon his dying quietly in his own chamber, or at
least that he would cease to disturb me. At this he took
great offence, protesting he had been much deceived in my
character, and found I was not a bit better than the rest
of the detestable society of Canton. Two years afterwards
I saw this miserable general in a side box of one of the

THE MANDARIN'S MITE 223

London theatres, and was later told he that winter realised
his fears of departing this life.

In the middle of September, Pott, being tired by the
sameness of Canton, proposed a trip to Whampoa for
variety, and the next day he and I embarked in a large
sampan consisting of three spacious rooms, the steward
of the factory having sent on board ample provisions in
victuals and wines. On stopping at the first Hoppo house
and, according to custom, opening my trunk for examina-
tion, the mandarin took up a red morocco case containing
combs and a pair of scissors, saying, " Cumshaw." This
I did not understand, but Bob told me the fellow asked the
case as a present, and he began abusing him for so doing,
calling him a " Qrui so," (cuckold) " Ladrone," (thief) and
other opprobrious names. The Chinaman shewed evident
marks of surprize at so young a boy's dealing out abuse so
liberally, became exceedingly angry, and called to the people
of his boat alongside with mucli apparent wrath and gesticu-
lation, Pott only increasing his abuse thereat, but as the
combs were of trifling value I thought it better to end the
dispute by giving them to the mandarin, who accepted them
with a profusion of thanks and went off in high glee, saying
"Chin chin" as he departed, which is the common saluta-
tion. Bob was very angry with me for giving them, saying
he would much rather have kicked the scoundrel than made
him a present.

On arriving at Whampoa, we went on board the Crutten-
den, where we were very hospitably received and entertained
by the second officer, then in command. Early the following
morning we went to the Plassey, where Eogers insisted upon
our spending the day.

After spending three very merry days at Whampoa, we
returned to Canton, where McClintock gave me a card of
invitation to two different entertainments on following
days, at the country house of one of the Hong merchants
named Pankeequa. These fetes were given on the 1st
and 2nd of October, the first of them being a dinner,
dressed and served a la mode Anglaise, the Chinamen on

224 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

that occasion using, and awkwardly enough, knives and
forks, and in every respect conforming to the European
fashion. The best wines of all sorts were amply supplied.
In the evening a play was performed, the subject warlike,
where most capital fighting was exhibited, with better
dancing and music than I could have expected. In one
of the scenes an English naval officer, in full uniform and
fierce cocked hat, was introduced, who strutted across the
stage, saying " Maskee can do ! God damn ! " whereon
a loud and universal laugh ensued, the Chinese quite in an
ecstacy, crying out "Truly have much ee like Englishman."

The second day, on the contrary, every thing was Chinese,
all the European guests eating, or endeavouring to eat,
with chop sticks, no knives or forks being at table. The
entertainment was splendid, the victuals supremely good,
the Chinese loving high dishes and keeping the best of
cooks. At night brilliant fire works (in which they also
excel) were let off in a garden magnificently lighted by
coloured lamps, which we viewed from a temporary build-
ing erected for the occasion and wherein there was exhibited
slight of hand tricks, tight and slack rope dancing, followed
by one of the cleverest pantomimes I ever saw. This con-
tinued until a late hour, when we returned in company with
several of the supercargoes to our factory, much gratified
with the liberality and taste displayed by our Chinese host.

Mr. Phipps one day at dinner offered to help me from a
dish that stood before him, which he described as a delicious
fricassee. I accepted, and found it as he had said, ex-
quisitely good. The following day I was again eating the
same dish, when the gentleman next me asked if I knew
what it was. I answered " No," but thought it chicken.
" Chicken," replied he, "not it indeed, it is frogs." Strange
and absurd as it may appear, upon hearing this I instantly
turned so dreadfully sick I was obliged to leave the table.
Such was the force of prejudice. Upon enquiry I found that
frogs had long been one of the dishes at the supercargo's
table ; it consisted of only the hind quarters of the frog.
No person was more ready to admit the absurdity of the

THE FEELING IN THE CITY 225

prejudice than myself, yet had my life been at stake I do
not think I could have swallowed a mouthful of the ex-
cellent fricassee after I knew of what it was made.

Court often proposed to us to take a view of the in-
terior of the City, and at last we consented to attend
him. Rogers and Dr. Gowdie agreeing to join the party,
we set out early in the morning, at once discovering
when we were out of our limits by the inhabitants of
the houses coming to their doors to stare at us, the
children following, hooting and calling out epithets of re-
proach, some of them pelting us with bricks and stones,
Thus we reached the gates of the city, where the Guard
stationed there attempted to arrest our progress, but our
eccentric pilot, Court, shoving one away on each side, and
sputtering a parcel of gibberish, pushed by, we all following.
Upon entering the City, in addition to the former accom-
paniments of hooting, pelting and staring, out of every
house we passed issued two, three or more dogs, all of which
followed us, barking for a certain distance from their re-
spective homes. Having walked through the City without
seeing a single object of any kind that could in any way
compensate for the illtreatment we received, we continued
our traverse about a mile into the country, when we re-
turned, encountering the same pelting and insults we had.
before, and in an increased degree, dirt and filth of every
kind being cast at us. Let no stranger, therefore, ever think
of forcing his way into Canton in the expectation of his*
curiosity being gratified by handsome buildings, or in any
respect whatever, for like us he will meet with nothing but
insult and disappointment.

I shall now mention an instance of their impudence and
knavery in Canton. Mr. Devisme hearing me express a
wish for some good ribbed silk stockings, said he could
recommend a parcel, made purposely for him, of the very
best silk procurable in China, but being considerably too
large for his spindle shank though he had given his measure,
he refused to take them and they were left upon the maker's
hands. He then gave me the man's name, describing the

226 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HiCKEY

situation of his shop telling me it was at the corner of
Edinburgh Alley, the title given to a narrow passage from
its filthiness and offensive smell. To the shop I went, where
I asked the master for the ribbed silk stockings that had
been made for Mr. Devisme but did not fit him, adding that
Mr. Devisme had sent me to purchase them. They were
immediately produced, and beautifully fine and strong
they appeared to be. I took four dozen, and asking the
price the man answered eighteen dollars each dozen. As
I thought that very cheap, and took it for granted it was
the price Mr. Devisme was to have paid, I counted out the
amount, took up my stockings and was marching ofi with
them, when the master turning to another Chinese I had
found in the shop with him, said in a loud voice cc Hy you,
truly that man have too much ee great fool," and they both
joined in a hearty laugh. Unwilling to suppose that I was
the subject of the speech and laugh, indeed not entertaining
the most distant idea that I could be so, I looked round
to see what could have occasioned it, whereupon the mirth
of the two fellows encreased, in the midst of which I left
them. At dinner that day Mr. Devisme asked me if I had
been or sent for the stockings. I answered that I had, when
he observed they were not only far better in quality than
any I could have purchased, but considerably cheaper.
To their excellence I assented, but as to the price I had
bought some at a dollar a pair. "Why, what did you pay
for them ? " asked Mr. Devisme. I replied, " A dollar and a
half."

" Oh, the infernal thief," exclaimed Mr. Devisme. "Ho
had engaged to make them for me at three quarters of a
dollar, and that was above my usual price, which I agreed
to allow because the silk was uncommonly thick, and surely
I told you so."

I now began to think the laugh that had taken place in
the shop must have been at me. Upon relating the circum-
stance to Mr. Devisme, he said it undoubtedly was. So
that the impudent rascal, not content with cheating, called
me a fool and laughed at me into the bargain. I enquired

THE RIBBED SILK STOCKINGS 227

whether I could not punish the man for the fraud, but found
there was no law to reach him for such an act. Pott and I
went the following day to his shop to abuse him, which only
excited his mirth, and he again called me a fool. I observed
that he seemed to eye my young companion with much
earnestness, frequently saying, as if to himself, " Hy you
truly have much ee handsome." Upon which Bob smiled.
The fellow I supposed encouraged by this, took hold of his
hand, and said, " Truly you go with me, I curnshaw all
things," pointing to various articles of China ware and
other things upon the counter. The boy thereupon gave
him a pretty smart cut across the shoulders with a rattan in
his hand, swearing if he uttered another word of that sort he
would demolish every article that stood within his reach.
The man cooly replied, " Maske Maskee you come along
with me, can break you please." Bob then with his stick
did break some China vases, and ran out of the shop.

There was a China man who took excellent likenesses in
clay, which he afterwards coloured, and they were altogether
well executed. To this man's shop, Pott and I went to see
his performances. We found Mr. Carnegie, surgeon of the
ship Nottingham, sitting for his portrait, and complaining
violently what a damned ugly phiz he was making^ After
repeating this several times, the artist lay down his tools
and looking significantly at Carnegie, said, "Hy you hand-
some face no have got how can make," and turning to
Pott, he continued "Here can make handsome face, for
too much e handsome face have got." Carnegie was
offended at both observations, declaring he would not
pay for or take the model away. He kept his word, and
the next time wo called at the shop we saw Mr. Carnegie
tucked up, hanging by a rope round the neck, to a beam,
among several others. Enquiring the meaning of this,
the performer with much anger answered, " All these havo
too much ee grand Ladrones, give me too much trouble,
make handsome face, no pay, no take, so must ee hang
up." Bob and myself both sat and had good likenesses
taken, Bob in a midshipman's uniform, I in scarlet with

228 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

buff facings and silver lace, being the Madras regimen-
tals.

The 1st of November being Mr. Wood's birthday, PotL
insisted upon celebrating it in his (Mr. Wood's) own
apartments, and ordered the steward to prepare and send
there a dinner for six. He would not tell even me who
were to be the party. At the appointed hour we met
it consisted of Mr. Wood, a nephew and namesake of
his, who was fifth mate of one of the Indiamen, Joe
Revell, a young friend of Pott's, sixth mate of the
Cruttenden, Pott and myself. Pott presided, and when
the cloth was removed, declared himself despotic as toast-
master. Mr. Wood upon this occasion furnished some very
choice old Malmsey madeira, at which we set to Mr.
Wood, who was in but indifferent health, being on that
account left at liberty to do as he pleased. The rest were
ordered to fill bumpers to every toast. Between each glass
a song was sung. Thus we continued till near eight in the
evening, by which Bob became speechless and in a very
few minutes after fell under the table, quite insensible.
The other three lads, being little better, were led off by
servants.

Having seen Bob put to bed, I went to my own room,
with my recollection perfectly about me, but extremely
sick from having swallowed so enormous a quantity as
I had of a rich, luscious wine. I nevertheless slept soundly
until near ten o'clock the next morning, at which I
awoke with so excruciating a head ache I could not stir,
the pain if possible being increased by Bob just then
entering my room hallooing at a prodigious rate, until he
perceived that I looked ill, when he instantly desisted. I
was then seized with a vomiting, which continued with
scarce any intermission for three hours, and I actually
thought would have killed me. I remained two days
so ill that poor Bob was very uneasy, nor would cease
importuning me until I agreed to see Dr. Gordon. That
gentleman gave me some medicine that afforded me relief.
He desired me to keep quiet a couple of days more, which

A TEMPTING OFFER 229

I did, my young friend never leaving me. On the third
morning I felt tolerably well and that day joined the usual
party at dinner.

On the 8th the wind changed, blowing fresh from the
North, which produced an alteration I could not have
believed had I not felt it. From a really oppressive
degree of heat it suddenly became so cold that we were all
shivering with cloth coats on, and at dinner found a cheer-
ful blazing fire most acceptable and comfortable. From
that day there was a constant keen wind, with beautifully
clear weather, enabling us to take as much exercise as we
chose without risk of endangering our health, which was
far from being the case during the heats.

From the nature of the place, as already described,
Canton afforded little variety, except for the first few days,
after which there was nothing but repetition of the same
round, yet time flew quickly away, and the period fixed
for our leaving China was rapidly approaching. The Crutten-
den and two other ships were to sail on the 5th of Decem-
ber. Bob was so sincerely attached to me that for several
days previous thereto he entirely lost his spirits at the
thoughts of our parting. On the morning of the 2nd of the
month he came, soon after day light, to my bedside to say
he had a great favour to ask which I must promise to
grant. I answered there was nothing in my power I would
not readily do to gratify or oblige him, and so in truth I
would, for had the charming boy been my nearest and
dearest relation I could not have felt more attached than
I was to him. He appeared delighted at my answer, and
after a pause, looking wistfully in my face, and with some
hesitation, he said what he wanted was that I should leave
the Plassey and go home with him in the Cruttenden.

This request, so wholly unexpected and unlocked for, sur-
prized and in some measure vexed me, for although I should
have been happy at being with him, I felt it would be as un-
grateful as improper in me after Captain WaddelTs repeated
kindnesses to me, thus to quit his ship, and even had my
respect for him not operated Captain Baker was not exactly

230 MEMOIRS OP WILLIAM HICKEY

a man to my liking. Though always polite to me, there
was an obsequiousness, a fawning manner mixed with much
Scotch pride, that rendered him contemptible in my eyes.
I stated my objections, touching upon the awkwardness
(was no other impediment in the way) of forcing myself
upon Captain Baker unasked. But the little monkey was
prepared for this and exultingly replied, " My dearest
Hickey, never waste a thought upon such a wretch, such a
beastly swab as Baker, who will be proud of and flattered
by the arrangement," and he took out of his pocket a letter
from Captain Baker to me, couched in the most friendly
language, after many high flown compliments adding that
if I would do him the honour to proceed to England on his
ship, half the round house, or the whole of the great cabin,
would be at my service, and he should endeavour to make
every thing as agreeable to me as possible during the
voyage. This letter shewed how much he yielded to keeping
the favourable opinion of his guinea pig that he might
thereby preserve his interest with the family, for one of his
failings was a love of money, and that to so powerful a degree
as to make him guilty of twenty shabby actions that de-
servedly brought him into disgrace with all the gentlemen
of Canton.

With considerable difficulty I at last convinced my young
favorite that I could not leave the Plassey, but he wept
bitterly in the moment he admitted the reasonableness
of my arguments, and urged me still to endeavour to
accomplish the change by obtaining Captain Waddell's
consent. Having obtained my promise to that effect, he
reluctantly left me. Two hours afterwards Captain Waddell
called upon me to say Pott had just been with him to
entreat he would allow me to go home in the Cruttenden,
that upon his refusal to part with me he had shewed so
much distress as to occasion his present visit, which was
to say that if it was my desire to change ships he could only
lament, certainly not oppose it. I expressed my thanks
and gratitude to him for the innumerable acts of kindness
and friendship I had received from him, which I felt t<x>

THE VISIT TO THE CRUTTENDEN 231

sensibly for any consideration whatsoever to induce me
to abandon the hospitable Plassey, and which ship, if my
own inclination operated, should certainly convey me back
to England. He seemed pleased with my manner, and
declaring his wish to gratify me in all respects, took leave.
Knowing the influence Mr. Wood had over Pott, I requested
that gentleman to state to him how indelicate and im-
proper it would be in me to give up my ship. This he
(Mr. Wood) good naturedly did, but told me what he had
urged upon the subject was most ungraciously received by
Robert, and although the dear boy agreed in the sentiments
both he and I expressed he never ceased importuning me
on the subject during his stay at Canton. Finding he must
fail in having me for a shipmate, he then solicited me to
accompany him to Whampoa and at least one day on their
way from thence, which I willingly acquiesced in, con-
soling him by the probability of our overtaking him before
he left St. Helena, from the superiority of the Plassey's
sailing.

Early on the 5th of December 1769, Pott and I left
Canton, and in an hour after we reached the Cruttenden
they got under way, dropping down close to the first Bar,
where the pilot brought to for the night. At supper
another guinea pig of Captain Baker's seemed disposed to
ridicule Bob's melancholy, which made the latter rally and,
at least, affect something like cheerfulness. Turning to me,
he said, "Do you see this sneaking reptile, who, though
twice my size, like a dastard as he is, suffers me to correct
his insolence by manual chastisement, which I have often
been obliged to do, and unless he ceases his present insolent
and vacant grin, I shall give you ocular demonstration of
it by drubbing him heartily." The other lad immediately
assumed a very grave look, and Bob continued, "The
fellow's name is Wakeman. He is intended for a seaman,
but I much doubt whether even the brilliant talents of my
able commander there, (pointing ludicrously to Captain
Baker who was at the table) will ever be able to make him
TOO,"

232 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

Captain Baker angrily said :

" Pott, your impertinence is unbounded. It would be
well for you to take a leaf out of Wakeman's book, who
is in every point above you."

Bob, with a loud laugh, replied :

" Take a leaf out of that fellow's book ! Damn me,
if the whole book with his contemptible body and bones
into the bargain is worth a single copper " (the lowest coin
of China).

Captain Baker shook his head, saying, cc I blush for you,
sir."

" Aye," retorted Bob, " like a blue dog, but spare your
blushes on my account. Your dirty lambkin there (point-
ing to Wakeman) needs them all."

I remained on board the Oruttenden until after dinner
of the following day, the 6th, when I got into my sampan,
slept on board the Plassey that night, and next day re-
turned to Canton. I missed my lively companion exceed-
ingly, as did every body who knew the boy,

CHAPTER XIX

THE RETURN TO ENGLAND

FROM the day that the cold weather commenced Mc-
Clintock's health improved, and early in December he
was as stout and well as ever he had been in his life. He
had, however, such a liking to the Plassey, and all belonging
to her, as to make him determine to return to Madras via
England, rather a round about road to be sure, but he said
he adopted it in support of the adage, "The farthest way
about is the shortest way home." We all rejoiced at his
so determining, for he was an uncommon fine young man*

My cash being all expended, I was under the necessity
of drawing upon my father for one hundred and fifty
pounds, though I was almost ashamed to dp so after the
enormous expence I had put him to.

On the 15th Captain Waddell informed McClintock and
me he would convey us on board the following day in his
barge. We therefore spent that morning in taking leave
of our foreign acquaintances, especially Mr. Chambers, the
chief Swedish supercargo, also the Dutch chief, both of
whom had behaved with the utmost politeness to us.
After breakfast of the 16th, having offered our acknowledg-
ments to all the English gentlemen, most of whom accom-
panied us down to the water side, we embarked, whereupon
they cheered us, we and our boat's crew returning the com-
pliment. Thus I left Canton where I had spent four months
very happily, having been received with a hospitality and
kindness nothing could exceed. We reached the Plassey
to dinner, (the anchors being then apeak) and dropped
down the river until dark, when we anchored for the night.
At day break of the 17th we weighed, running down at a
great rate. In the evening being off Macao, the pilot left
us, We then hove to until the next morning, when we raa

233

234 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

out to sea. In the course of the day the wind headed us,
and we found from the lightness of a tea cargo that the
ship was very crank, laying along more than was pleasant.
In consequence of this a consultation was held by the
Captain and officers to determine whether it would be most
prudent to proceed on the voyage or return into port to
alter the stowage. One mate only (the fifth) was of opinion
the most prudent step would be to go back to Macao ; all
the rest thought otherwise, and that by moving some of the
water and striking the guns into the hold the ship would bo
rendered sufficiently stiff to enable her to carry sail. Those
measures were immediately carried into effect, and with
every success that could be wished or expected. We ex-
perienced fine weather the whole run to the latitude of the
Cape of Good Hope, amusing ourselves by fishing, firing
at sharks, and all the usual pastimes practised on board
ship in order to beguile the time.

Off the Cape we had a smart adverse puff from the N.W.,
luckily only of twenty four hours 5 duration. On the 20th of
February 1770 at day break we made the Island of St.
Helena, and at the same time a strange sail appeared upon
our starboard beam, standing also for the Island. At noon
we spoke her and found her to be our old companion, the
Hampshire. This was an extraordinary circumstance con-
sidering the difference of the two ships' voyages, she having
been to Bombay and Bengal, we to Madras and China. She
had several Bengal gentlemen on board, passengers, par-
ticularly the Company's Commander in Chief of the army,
General Richard Smith, a famous character in more ways
than one. At two in the afternoon we were wcU in with
the land, which presents a most barren and wretched
appearance. Both ships then hove to, each sending in a
boat to announce the vessel's name and other particulars
respecting them. This is done to prevent surprize, and with-
out that preliminary step no ship is permitted to pass the
several batteries. Upon the return of the boats we made
sail, standing so close to a bluff point of the Island that I
could h^ve thrown a stone on shore. Having passed this

ST. HELENA 235

desolate looking rock a beautiful valley opened to the sight,
abounding with luxuriant verdure. The contrast, so sudden
and so striking, struck us all with admiration. Down this
valley the wind rushed with such violence as almost tc
lay the ship upon her broadside, although we had only the
top sails set, and those double reefed. Passing the valley
we were nearly becalmed by another high rock, and
thus alternately mountain and vale three different times,
when we opened the valley in which the town stands,
which forms a very romantic and pleasing view. We
found only one small vessel at anchor in the roads.

This little speck of land in the midst of an immense
ocean is in the latitude, nearly, of sixteen degrees South,
and longitude about six degrees West of Greenwich, it
laying in the strength of the South East Trade wind. There
is no anchorage, except on a small and steep bank directly
to leeward of the town. Ships are consequently obliged
to hug the land very close in going in, or they would be in
danger of missing the bank altogether. It frequently
happens that after vessels have let go their anchors and
brought up, the violent and sudden gusts of wind from
between the mountains force them off soundings by
dragging their anchors, or, sometimes, parting the cables,
and as the current sets strongly to leeward, it becomes
tedious and difficult to beat up again. The climate is
temperate and pleasant ; they scarcely ever have thunder
or lightning, nor had they for twenty years before I was
there experienced any thing like tempestuous weather.

Captain Waddell sent on shore to take lodgings for him-
self, McClintock, and me, which having procured, we landed,
and went to take possession of them at the house of a Mr.
Greentree. There we found very commodious and com-
fortable apartments, fitted up in the style of English houses.
The morning after our arrival we went to visit Mr.
Skottowe, Governor of the Island, and Mr. Corneille, the
Lieutenant Governor, the latter appearing to be a well
mannered, accomplished gentleman. He informed us that
there were several Bengal passengers who had been at

236 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

St. Helena many weeks, having come there in the Talbot,
commanded by Sir Charles Hudson, which ship had been
extremely unfortunate, having encountered dreadful storms
off the Mauritias and the Cape, and suffered so much in the
latter they were in imminent danger of foundering, and
obliged to bear up and run back to St. Augustin's Bay on
Madagascar, to refit, which being completed they renewed
their voyage, and again met with a tremendous gale off
the Cape, wherein they lost their topmasts and main yard,
and shipped such heavy seas as to wash away their whole
live stock. After buffeting about an unusual time they at
last, almost starved, reached St. Helena, having been
upwards of eleven months on their passage from Bengal.
So completely tired were they of the Talbot and the bad
luck that seemed to follow her, as to determine to quit her,
and wait the chance of proceeding to England by some less
unfortunate ship. Amongst these passengers was Mr. Fran-
cis Charlton, whom I have before mentioned as having been
sent to Bengal through my father's interest. He had acquired
a large fortune, to enjoy which he was going home. Upon
returning to our lodgings I found him at the door. Having
seen my name in the list of those arrived the preceding day,
he had called to ascertain who I was. Upon hearing that
I was the son of his father's old friend, and who had obtained
him a writership, he was very kind, offering me any sum
of money I might require, gratefully acknowledging the
obligation he was under to my father whom he considered
the founder of his fortune. In appearance he was an
emaciated, sallow, and miserable object, but said be felt
wonderfully recovered since his residence at St. Helena.

Being invited to dine at the Governor's, we there met
all the gentlemen that were sojourners, of course, General
Smith amongst the number, who betrayed an insolent
superiority and superciliousness that offended every body.
To me that knew his origin, the old adage recurred, " Set
a beggar on horseback, and he'll ride to the devil." This
insolent man's father kept a little cheese monger's shop in
Jermyn Street, St. James's market, where Dick was an

GENERAL RICHARD SMITH 237

apprentice, but turning out a sad profligate scapegrace,
committing some atrocious acts that endangered his neck,
the unhappy parent, in order to prevent an untimely exit,
obtained a Cadetship to India for him, a situation in those
days not so much sought after as in later times. The young
sinner entered upon his new vocation with ardour and zeal,
and became so excellent a soldier as entirely from his own
merit as such to rise to command the army of Bengal. His
manners, however, in each gradation were disagreeable, and
peculiarly so to those he considered his inferiors. His pride
sometimes met with little rebuffs, as in the following
instance. During the period the army was under his com-
mand, being upon actual service in the field against the
Bohillas, in the severe heats of May, when a man could
scarce respire, a young Irishman of the name of Hunt, fresh
imported from dear Dublin, was shewn into his tent, where
he delivered some letters he had brought out from persons
of rank to the General. Breakfast , being over, and the
intense heat making the Commander more irascible than in
ordinary, he felt no inclination to be civil to poor Paddy,
angrily observing the hour of visiting was passed, but as
Hunt paid no attention to this remark, and the General
wished probably to treat the bearer of letters from men of
consequence with more than his common courtesy because
his introducers were in high life, he condescended to ask
Hunt if he had breakfasted, and being answered in the
negative, an aide-de-camp was summoned to make tea.
The young Hibernian having swallowed a plentiful quantity
of the refreshing beverage, accompanied by a tolerable
share of bread and butter, the pompous General thought
it time for him to depart, and by way of hint, said, " Good
morning to you, sir," rising from his chair.

Hunt, without stirring from his, answered :

" Good morning to you, sir."

The General, astonished at so unusual a conduct, took a
turn or two up and down the tent, then walking close up to
Hunt, he again said :

" Good morning to you, sir."

288 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

" Good morning to you, sir/' repeated Hunt.

Still more surprized, the General renewed his walk for
two or three minutes, and marching close to his immoveable
guest, he fiercely once more said, " Good morning."

" Good morning, sir," mildly answered Hunt.

Smith, in a violent rage, then said, " Pray, how the devil
did you get here ? "

" In a ship, sir."

" In a ship ! God's blood ! what do you mean ? Don't
you know you are four hundred miles from the sea ? "

" Faith, and I do," said Hunt.

" What is it you want, sir ? "

" Troth, every thing, sir."

" By God, you are a very extraordinary fellow. I dine
out, sir, but if you want a dinner my servants shall prepare
some for you."

" Sir, I want dinner and supper, and lodging, and if you
do not provide them I don't know who else will."

This seemed to tickle the General's fancy, producing a
smile, and, addressing his aide-de-camp, he directed him to
take the young man to the Adjutant General who would
station him to some corps and do all that was requisite.
This order being given aloud, Hunt said :

" Thank you ! Thank you/ 5 instantly adding, " Pray
now, General, do you call this your winter or your summer ? "

So ill timed a question, when every one was gasping for
breath, proved too severe a trial for General Smith, who
violently exclaiming, " By God, this is too much/' hastily
quitted the tent.

This young and uncouth Irishman became an excellent
soldier, and early distinguished himself by extraordinary
acts of gallantry in several severe conflicts with the enemy.
He was soon a great favourite of General Smith's, who,
unluckily for him, left India three years after his arrival,
whereby he lost a friend who would have served him and
promoted his interest. His own abilities, however, raised
him to a situation of emolument, the duties of which being
severe, and he always scrupulously performing them, his

WHY CHEESE WAS NOT REQUIRED 289

health was so materially impaired that he was, at the end
of fifteen years' hard service (having then attained the rank
of Captain) under the necessity of resigning his command,
wherein he had done credit to himself and to his employers,
being by his integrity highly respected by the natives. He
went down to the Presidency in order to engage a passage
in one of the homeward bound Indiamcn, taking up his
abode in the house of Mr. George Elliot, an intimate friend.
Unhappily, before the time of the ship's departure his
indisposition proved fatal. Being given over by the
physicians that attended him, he deaired I might be Rent
for to draw his Will, for which he gave me instructions with
as much perspicuity and good sens as if in full vigour of
health. Whilst I was preparing the Will upon a table placed
close to the couch on which he lay in an agony of pain, his
malady being the liver, the two medical gentlemen who
had attended came in, when both were of opinion he could
not survive three hours. After the Will had been read
over to him and another legacy added by his desire., he
executed it as he lay, and in one hour afterwards breathed
his List. I have hero greatly trespassed upon the order of
time, but I thought it better at once to finish my account
of this singular man.

When the meat was removed from the table at (he dinner
I was speaking of at St. Helena, the Governor expressed
his concern to General Smith that neither of the Btoro ahips
were yot arrived, consequently there wan not a bit of choose
upon the Island. The following day tho name party dined
with Mr. Corneille, and the good naturod Governor renewed
his concern at the want of cheese, to which tho General
answered he was indifferent about cheese, nor should ho
much caro if he never saw any. Tho third day we again met
at Mr. Skottowe's, and again the lamentation for the want
of cheese, whereupon tho pompous military hero angrily
said, " Damn the cheese. Why do you continue plagucing
me, Hir, with your want of cheese when I have HO often told
you 1 don't earo two pence about it." Tho mild (Jovemor,
who was unacquainted with the circuniBtauco o his guest's

240 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

having formerly had so much to do with cheese, seemed
greatly distressed at the General's violence, and made many
apologies for unintentionally giving offence. Several of the
company could scarcely preserve their gravity at the
ridiculousness of the scene, which evidently mortified the
pride of the ci devant cheese monger !

In the morning of the 23rd (of February) the Cruttenden
came in. I went on board the moment she anchored, and
found my young favorite in fine health and Spirits. Having
prepared a trunk of clothes, I took him on shore with me
to Mr. Greentree's, where he remained, delighted at once
more being with me, and continued my guest and constant
companion during my stay upon the Island. We passed
our mornings riding about the country on horseback, and
the rest of the day in convivial parties, with dances every
evening, an amusement the damsels of St. Helena are very
fond of.

General Smith was, as we learned from his namesake, the
Captain of the Hampshire, remarkably timorous on board
ship. Whenever the wind blew at all fresh he became
extremely uneasy and restless, continually, by night as well
as day, running out upon deck to ask questions of the
officers of the watch respecting the weather and state of the
ship. Of the truth of this character he furnished un-
deniable evidence himself by calling upon Captain Waddell
in the most earnest manner, entreating that he would keep
company with the Hampshire from St. Helena to England,
which he said he should consider as a personal favour to
himself. Captain Waddell gratified him much by consenting
to comply with his desire.

The 6th of March being appointed for the two ships
sailing, the passengers of both were invited to dine that day
with Mr. Corneille, there to meet and take leave of the
Governor. This worthy and respectable gentleman (Mr.
Skottowe) therefore called several times upon the General
to learn at what hour he proposed to embark, that every
compliment in his power to shew might be prepared. To
this pointed civility the haughty Bengally paid no sort of

A RUDE DEPARTURE 241

attention, until, being pressed by Mr. Skottowe, lie pettishly
said, "Sun set, sun set." We dined at two o'clock, and
before four General Smith left the table saying he should
return immediately, instead of doing which the Governor's
servants came hastily into the room, telling him the General
was at the water side, and the boat getting ready to take
him off to the ship, upon which Mr. Skottowe, who was
lame, instantly rose and hobbled after him, much against
the will and advice of his lieutenant, Mr. Corneille, who
earnestly entreated him not to move, and let the gentleman
steal ofi, unnoticed and unattended, as , such seemed to be
his wish ; further observing that his whole conduct while
at the Island had been so insolent and unbecoming as in his
opinion to render him unworthy of the least respect or
compliment , and none therefore should he receive from him.

Mr. Skottowe, to these remarks, answered that it was to
the rank and station the General filled, not to the individual,
he wished to pay respect, and under that impression he
followed to the sea side. Pott and I did the same, to see
how the fellow would comport himself. Just as Mr.
Skottowe and we got to the wharf he had seated himself in
the boat. Upon seeing the Governor, quite out of breath
from the dispatch he had used, he coolly turned his head,
saying, " You have given yourself a great deal of unneces-
sary trouble, sir," and then, without even touching his hat,
desired the cockswain of the boat to push off. Upon this
impertinence being communicated to Mr. Corneille, he
protested against any salute being fired, but without effect.
Using the same argument as before, the Governor directed
the customary number of guns to be given.

As I had been informed we were not to sail until the
following morning I did not go on board until after mid-
night, staying so late at the particular request of Pott. I
certainly never left a place in which I had resided a fort-
night with so little regret as I did St. Helena. Tho
comforts it affords are few indeed ; scarce any fruit, bad
bread, and no fresh butter. Yet the charges made for
every article of life were -enormously high. Pott aecom-

242 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

panied me on board, and slept upon a couch in our cabin.
At day break we got under way, and lie bid me adieu,
promising to call in St. Albans Street within twelve hours
after he should reach London. The Cruttenden was to re-
main ten days longer at St. Helena.

The Hampshire kept up tolerably well, and witli our
glasses we often saw the coxcomb General looking at us.
On the llth we made the Island of Ascension, famous
for the fineness of the turtle caught there. The two
Commanders had agreed to stop one night for a supply
of that rich and esteemed food. We anchored within half
a mile of the shore about two in the afternoon, close
to each other. McClintock and I accompanied our Com-
mander to the Hampshire. Captain Waddell recommended
every body's staying quietly on board, the day being
too far advanced to land with a prospect of succeeding
in cur object, experience having taught him that if the
least movement of boats or people took place in the
afternoon the turtle were alarmed and not one of them
would leave the water. General Smith chose to ridicule
such an idea, and Captain Smith } thinking it was founded
in mistake, his boats with the General immediately went
on shore. I went with Mr. Chisholme, Captain Waddell
assuring us we should not see a single turtle.

We landed upon a fine regularly sloping beach,
entirely covered, and to the depth of several feet, with
a beautiful little shell white as snow, and not larger
than a middling sized pin's head. The Island shews not
the least sign of vegetation, being entirely covered with
a kind of pumice stone, evidently of a volcanic quality. It
is said not a drop of fresh water is to be found, and we
saw nothing like a spring.

Chisholme conducted us to what they called " The Post
Office. 55 This was a hole dug slanting in a large piece
of stone, in which was placed a large mouthed bottle, like
those used for mustard, and from which bottle we took a
letter written by an officer of the Ankerwylce East India-
man, addressed to " The next comers," saying the above

TURNING THE TURTLE 243

ship had stopped there in the preceding month of January
and had carried off ninety turtle. These animals quit the
water, and slowly creep up the beach from sunset until it
becomes dark, there making a hole in which they deposit
their eggs, but if anything occurs to alarm them they
remain in the sea, which appears to be their natural element.
We continued looking out till past eight o'clock, when
heartily tired of the watching, 1 returned to the Plassey.
The Hampshire's people stayed the whole night without
seeing a single turtle.

Early the next morning Captain Smith came on board our
ship, requesting Captain Waddoll would undertake the man-
agement that day, and his orders should be strictly adhered
to. Captain Waddell then gave directions that a boat's crew
from each ship should go on shore at one in tho afternoon,
landing the men appointed to turn turtle, and return with
the boats to the ships immediately, the people thus landed
to amuse themselves upon the hills until an hour and a half
before sunset, at which time they were without any hallooing
or noise of any kind to return to tho sea side, and there lay
down upon the beach close to the foot of tho rocky mountain,
distant about three hundred yards from the water, where
they were to remain perfectly still and quiet until they
heard the turtle crawling up and digging their holes. As
soon as they "thought an adequate number wore thus
engaged, tho men were all to spring up, run as fast as
possible to the turtle and commence turning them. This
method was put in practice, and I joined tho turning party*
Within a quarter of an hour after tho sun sunk below the
horizon, we saw as we lay turtle innumerable slowly making
their way tip the milk white bank, stopping midway between
the sea and where we lay and there, with thoir fins, making
holes about three feet deep to deposit their 6ggs in. In an
hbur after, upon a gentle whistle, the signal agreed on,
everybody jumped up as fast as possible, running towards
the holes tho turtles were getting in, who upon tho first
noise crept out of, these holes, making for tho sea with a
rapidity if I had not seen I should not have conceived

244 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

possible, throwing up showers of the little shells with their
fins as they ran so that from their great weight and the
velocity of their motion it became exceedingly difficult to
stop their progress by turning them upon their backs. As
near as I could form a guess not above one in twenty was
thus secured, the rest making good their retreat. Upon
counting we found thirty two turned, of which each ship
had sixteen, weighing from four hundred weight to five
hundred and fifty pounds each turtle. A letter was then
written mentioning the ships' names, date, and number of
turtle caught, which being deposited in the bottle, WQ
aE reimbarked, reached our respective ships soon after
midnight, and before one were under way, pursuing our
course towards England.

After leaving the Island of Ascension nothing worth
recording happened until the llth of April, when we
sounded, expecting to find the British bottom, but were
disappointed. A fresh south west wind was then blowing,
which at one in the afternoon suddenly shifted to North
and by East, attended with sleet and snow. By three
it increased to a hard gale. The weather having been
dark and gloomy, we had not seen the sun the four pre-
ceding days so as to get an observation, but by the dead
reckoning we were in the latitude of Ushant, and of course
had not the Channel sufficiently open to stand in with
so strong a wind. We therefore lay to under a balanced
mizen. The Hampshire, upon seeing this, came as close
to us as she dare venture in such a high sea, and Captain
Smith hailed, but the wind roared so loud all his attempts
to make us hear what he said were ineffectual, and soon
after, to the great surprize of our navigators, we saw the
Hampshire set her main and fore top sails close reefed,
with a reefed fore sail, and under that sail close hauled
stand in for the Channel, an example Captain Waddell did
not think it prudent to follow. We afterwards heard that
although they succeeded, and thereby avoided a week of
extreme bad weather, they had done so at an immense and
unjustifiable risk. The object of Captain Smith when

THE HAMPSHIRE'S PERIL 245

speaking to us was to compare latitudes, and we also heard
they reckoned themselves half a degree more to the north-
ward than we did, consequently thought themselves
sufficiently to windward to clear the French coast, and
under that idea they stood on, conceiving we certainly
should do the same. At day break the following morning
Captain Smith discovered his error when too late to cure it,
the rocks off Ushant being upon the lee quarter and
stretching as far forward as the bow, so close aboard that
they had no alternative but that of standing on under a
press of sail thereby to endeavour to clear the danger, which
happily they effected, but had any of the rigging given way,
or a single sail split, or had the wind headed them even half
a point only, they must inevitably have gone ashore upon
the rocks off the coast of France, and in all probability every
soul on board would have perished. Captain Smith told
Captain Waddell that in the whole course of his life he had
never been in so perilous a situation, that at day break
when he saw a most tremendous sea dashing over the rocks
within a mile to leeward of him, blowing as it then did, he
thought it was all over with them, and would readily have
given every guinea he possessed to have been where he had
left the Plassey the evening before. I mention this circum-
stance to shew the superior skill and judgment of Captain
Waddell.

In the present days no such difficulty as occurred to us
from the wind preventing our hearing what was said from
the Hampshire can happen, as by the telegraphic signals
now established and in general use, ships can communicate
what they wish to be known to the Fleet, or any particular
vessel, at a distance of ten or twelve miles, and with great
quickness. I have lately seen a conversation (if it may be so
called) kept up at sea when the fleet were laying to in a
severe gale, and it would have been utterly impossible to
Bpeak each other.

As the gale increased the sea became extremely high and
confused, occasioning the ship to labour prodigiously.
During four nights the motion was so violent, and the

246 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

strokes the sea almost every minute gave the ship so
terrific, I got no sleep. On the fifth, nature being nearly
exhausted, I had fallen into a doze as I lay upon my cot
from which I was suddenly roused by, as I firmly believed,
the ship's going to pieces. I heard a dreadful crash, and
found my cot jammed, immoveably fixed, by what I had no
doubt was the planks of her deck fallen in, some of which
lay across me with a ponderous weight I could scarce
breathe under. Expecting a rush of water every moment
to overwhelm me, I lay gasping, when, the ship taking a
deep roll the contrary way, relieved me of my load. Wonder-
ing what all this could mean, and still imagining death to be
inevitable, I was agreeably surprized at seeing our cabin
door open, and Chisholme with a candle and lantern in his
hand, calling out, " Well, my lads, how fare you in this
confusion ? What do you think of the last dip ? Hang
me, if I did not think she was over." This was a most
welcome sound to me who supposed the ship had gone to
pieces.

Chisholme, coming close to my bed, suddenly exclaimed,
Cf Zounds ! what's the matter ? What's the meaning of all
this ? " and away he darted, returning in a few seconds with
Gowdie (the Surgeon), and two or three people with lights,
when my alarm was renewed by perceiving my shirt and
bed clothes covered with blood. I knew not from whence it
proceeded, but the Doctor soon discovered the sanguinary
stream issued from my head. He immediately cut off the
hair, of which I had then an immense quantity, and, while
examining the wound with his instruments as well as the
dreadful motion would allow, he asked me whether I felt
at all sick at the stomach. I answered, as the fact was,
" exceedingly so," and as I had often heard sickness was
one of the symptoms of a fractured skull, I concluded mine
was shattered. Gowdie having summoned his assistant,
they together probed the wound, and at the end of half an
hour, which circumstanced as I was appeared an age, he
comforted me by saying, " Thank God, the skull is safe,
but you have a desperate wound and have lost so much

A DAMAGED HEAD 247

blood as must weaken you to a great degree, and will
require your being kept very quiet." Quiet and the then
state of the ship appeared to me to be perfectly incom-
patible ; he however dressed my head, made the servants
put clean clothes upon the bed and myself, and making me
swallow two pills bid me lay still.

Prejudiced as I was against the possibility of rest, I
nevertheless within an hour went into a sleep so profound
I knew of nothing that occurred for the following twenty
four hours, at the end of which I awoke refreshed, but
with a dreadful head ache. The Doctor being summoned
told me not to mind the head ache, which proceeded from
the large quantity of opium he had given me, and which
had so well answered the purpose that all risk was over,
and that a few hours, with strong coffee drank frequently,
would relieve me, all which was verified, and I had the
satisfaction to hear the gale had broke up.

McClintock and I had two thirds of the starboard side
of the great cabin. The remainder, except a passage to
the Quarter gallery, was converted into a sail room.
Between the beams and the deck of that part so uned
for keeping sails in, there was stowed planks of rose
wood, each plank of an enormous weight, which Captain
Waddell was taking to England as part of his private trade,
These planks were supposed to have boon iminoveably fixed
in, being secured by strong battens nailed across them from
one beam to the other. The ship, however, laboured in so
extraordinary a manner, at times being quite down upon
her broadside, that the rose wood forced of! the Gleets,
slipping through into our cabin, passing over Mr, McClintock
whose cot was hung close to the bulkhead, without touching
him, and going directly across mine, in doing which one of
them came in contact with my unfortunate skull* The
wonderful part of the story was that it did not beat my head
to atoms. The Doctor and his mate having taken off the
dressing and examined the wound, pronounced it to bo
doing as well as could be hoped for or expected. Having
token a basin of weak ohickea broth, in a few hows the

248 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

Doctor gave me another opium pill, which secured me a
good night's sleep, and the next morning I felt quite a
different body. Gowdie told me when he first saw the
wound he had no doubt but that the skull was badly
fractured. I rather think it was slightly injured, because
for years afterwards if I caught the slightest cold that part
of my head became so exceedingly tender and susceptible I
could not bear a comb to touch it, which was the only
inconvenience I ever experienced from the accident.

Two days after this mishap the wind veered round to the
Westward and enabled us to stand for the Channel. The
18th we struck soundings in seventy fathoms, and the
following morning had the pleasure to see a fine English
cutter of one hundred and fifty tons burthen within a
quarter of a mile of us, from which a man came in a small
boat on board the Plassey. He was of a Herculean form,
with a healthy ruby face. From his dress and appearance I
should not have supposed he possessed ten pounds in the
world. Captain Waddell conducted him into the Bound
house, where the following short dialogue ensued :

Stranger : " Well, Captain, how is tea ? "

Captain : " Twenty pounds."

Stranger : " No, that won't do. Eighteen a great
number of China ships this season."

Captain : " Very well, you know best."

Stranger : " How many chests ? "

Captain : " Sixty odd."

Stranger : " Come, bear a hand then and get them into
the cutter."

By this I found our new visitor was a smuggler. The
foregoing was all that passed in completeing the sale and
purchase of so large a quantity of tea. In the same laconic
manner he bought the stock of the different officers.

While the tea was hoisting out of the gun room and other
places it had been stowed in, Captain Waddell asked the
smuggler whether there was any public news, to which he
at first answered :

" No, none that I know of," but immediately after, as if

THE SMUGGLER'S DEAL 249

recollecting himself, he added, " Oh yes, I forgot. Wilkes is
made King."

" Wilkes made King ! " (exclaimed every one present),
cc What can you mean ? "

"Damn me if I understand much of these things,"
(replied the man), " but they told me the mob took him out
of prison and made him King that's all I know."

A thick haze that had prevailed all the morning just then
cleared away, and we saw the land (the Lizard) not more than
four leagues distant. The cutter at the same time hailed to
inform their Chief they saw the Albert (custom house
schooner) to the southward.

" Do you, by God," replied he, and taking a spying glass
from one of the officers, looked through it in the direction
pointed out, directly saying, " Aye, aye, sure enough there
she comes and under a cloud of canvas." Turning to
Captain Waddell he continued, " Come, Captain, you must
haul off the land another league or so, and then let him
fetch us with all my heart."

Captain Waddell appearing to hesitate as to complying,
the man hastily said,

"He can seize me at this distance from our coast. If
therefore you don't stand farther off I must leave you."

Captain Waddell then desired the officer of the watch to
brace the yards and keep the ship up a couple of points,
which being done, in an hour and a half the smuggler said :

" Now, Captain, let them come and be damned, you may
keep your course again."

The schooner was then within two miles, and in another
hour came dashing by close to us in a noble style, and hove
to upon our weather bow, when a most capital exchange of
naval blackguardism took place between the smuggler's crew
and the schooner, continuing a full hour, but as the Plassey
was then beyond the stated limits they could not molest the
cutter, and remained only to have the mortification of
seeing a large quantity of goods transferred from the ship to
her. At length they sheered off, when the smuggler
observed :

250 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

" The fellow that commands her is one of the damnedest
scoundrels that lives, and the only rascal amongst them
that I cannot deal with, though I have bid roundly too."

I do not remember the name of this extraordinary
revenue officer, or I would mention it, as, I am afraid, a rare
instance of integrity in his line.

Captain WaddeU asked the smuggler whether he had
recently sustained any loss by the Government vessels, to
which he answered :

" No, nothing material this long time. I had a seizure
of between five and six hundred pounds ten days ago, but
nothing of importance for a twelvemonth," by which it was
evident he considered five or six hundred pounds no object.

The tea being all removed to the cutter, pen, ink, and
paper was produced ; the smuggler sitting down at a table
in the Round house calculated the amount due for his
purchase, which Captain Waddell admitting correct, he
took from his pocket book a check, which filled up for
twelve hundred and twenty four pounds, he signed and
delivered to the Captain. I observed it was drawn upon
Walpole and Company, Bankers in Lombard Street, and
was astonished to see Captain Waddell with the utmost
composure deposit it in his escritoire. The smuggler then
being asked whether he chose a glass of wine or would stay
dinner, he answered he could not afford to lose a minute
so must be off, but would take a drap of brandy. The
liquor being brought he chucked off a bumper, the servant
directly filling a second. " That's right, my good fellow,"
(said he) " always wet both eyes." He swallowed the second
and returned to his cutter. The moment he departed I
asked Captain Waddell whether he felt secure in a draft
for so large a sum by such a man as that, to which he
answered, "Perfectly, and wish it was for ten times as
much, it would be duly paid. These people always deal
with the strictest honour. If they did not their business
would cease." For what he purchased from the officers
he paid in guineas, to the amount of upwards ol eight
hundred.

CHAPTER XX

IN LONDON AGAIN

ON the 20th of April 1770 we arrived off Dover, from
whence a pilot came and took charge of the ship. In
his boat McClintock and I went on shore to proceed by land
to London. Our voyage from China to England, including
the stay at St. Helena, and notwithstanding the week we
lay to in the chops of the Channel in bad weather, was
performed in four months and four days, then the shortest
that ever had been made by an Indiaman.

We dined and slept at the Ship Inn at Dover, and the
next morning set off in a post chaise and four for London,
where we arrived at six the same evening. I ordered the
chaise to my old place of resort, Malby's, ordered supper
and sent for Brent, who within an hour had me in her arms,
appearing rejoiced although surprized to see me thus early
returned. After supper with us and drinking a few glasses
of wine McClintock retired to the Hummums (where no
women were ever admitted) to sleep. When we thus
reached London I had twenty seven guineas in my pocket,
and felt no inclination to leave Malby's while any of it
remained. The two first days I did not stir from the
house, McClintock eating and spending most of his time
with us. The third morning, for the sake of a little
variety, I sallied forth cap a pie in my Madras regimen-
tals, intending to accompany Brent to Westminster Abbey,
and to take a coach at the first stand we came to,
Going along the Piazza chatting to Brent, who had hold
of my arm, I suddenly saw directly before me and coming
towards us, my father ! Not doubting but he recognised
me, I instantly slipped away from Brent, intending to address
him as if that moment arrived, but when close to him I saw
Ms mouth going at a great rate, talking to himself and

251

252 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

deeply wrapt in his own tliouglits. I therefore marched
by without further notice. Brent, frightened out of her
wits, insisted upon instantly going back to Malby's, and
avoiding all further risk of discovery.

At dinner McClintock said he had that day been told
that the Ombres GMnois was an entertainment worth
seeing, and he intended going to it in the evening, upon
which I determined to accompany him. At six o'clock he,
Brent and myself got into a hackney coach and proceeded
to Panton Street, where the exhibition was. We found
the room nearly full, and with difficulty procured seats.
About an hour after we had been there Brent eagerly laid
hold of my arm, and pointing to a gentleman who sat
on the same row only four from us, said " My God, there
is your brother." I leaned forward, and sure enough there
was Joseph, looking very attentively at us, but as he did
not seem disposed to speak or take the least notice of me,
I concluded he was indignant at the foolish and unprofit-
able voyage I had made, and would not acknowledge me.
I therefore resolved to let him sulk on. Brent pressed me
to leave the place, which I peremptorily refused to do, and
we sat out the entertainment. However, as I took it for
granted my brother would mention his having seen me,
I thought it prudent no longer to absent myself, and next
morning I went to St. Albans Street, where I was received
by my dearest father more graciously than I had any right
to expect. He told me they had for several days been in
expectation of seeing me, Mr. Charlton having informed
them of my return by the Plassey, which ship's arrival they
had seen announced in the newspapers. By this it appeared
that my brother Joseph had not betrayed me, for which
I felt obliged and grateful. I however discovered soon after
that I had given him credit for what he did not deserve and
that he actually did not recognize me at the Ombres Chinois.
He told me himself he was looking at Brent, with whom
he observed an officer, but he had no more idea of its being
me than the Emperor of China.

To account for my being so long in getting home I had

A SERIOUS LECTURE 258

recourse to falsehood, telling my father that I had come
round in the ship to Gravesend to save the expence of
travelling. For such a deviation from veracity I ought
to blush, but alas that was only one of many occasions I
had to be ashamed of myself. Mr. Oharlton, to whom at
St. Helena I had related what his brother in law, Mr,
Dawson, had said relative to my coming to India as a
cadet, had prepared my father for my return, and good
naturedly attempted to exculpate me, under such circum-
stances, from blame.

The day after my arrival in St. Albans Street my
father addressed me very gravely and truly, representing
the enormous expence incurred in equipping me for the
East Indies, the whole of which was wantonly thrown
away by my hasty and inconsiderate abandonment of
the provision made for me in the army. He further said
it appeared to Mm that I had only visited Asia for the
purpose of shewing myself there as an English Nabob.
Ho then desired to know what line of life I intended
to pursue for my future subsistence, to which question I
answered my wish was a situation in the Civil service at
Bengal, but such a nomination my father seriously assured
me it was not in his power to obtain, that he would exert
all his interest to get me exchanged from the Madras army
to that of Bengal, which, should he not succeed in, he saw
nothing left for me but to return forthwith to Fort St.
George, as he could not, in justice to the rest of his family,
allow me to relinquish the Commission, the attainment of
wliich had cost him so large a sum of money. The next
day he went among his India friends in the City, and on
his return told me that Sir George Colebrooke, Mr, Sullivan,
and every person he had spoken to on the subject wore
much offended by the step I had taken and advised my
going ba.ck to Madras, as a transfer to any other of the
Sottlcmonts would not be permitted. My father also said
my ill judged return became the more serious and unlucky
from three great friends of his, Messrs. Vansittart, Scrafton,
and Ford, having sailed for India a few months before in

254 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

the Aurora Frigate, as supervisors general of all the Com-
pany's Oriental possessions, of course, with unlimited
powers, all three of whom had faithfully promised to pro-
vide for me ; that having absurdly deprived myself of such
an opportunity of being essentially served was most un-
fortunate, and all I had for it was to endeavour to regain
my station at Madras before the supervisors left it ; that all
the Company's ships of the season had already sailed, but
he understood one of His Majesty's vessels would be sent
off with dispatches within a month, respecting which he
would make further enquiries.

I could not feel otherwise than vexed at having lost so
extraordinary an advantage as the patronage of the super-
visors. Subsequently, however, it turned out that the
hopes of benefiting by their means would never have been
realized. The Aurora made a nipitl and fine passage to
the Good Hope, where they stopped for a supply of fresh
provisions and water, being uncommonly crowded with
passengers. She left the Cape in as high order in every
respect as any ship that ever put to sea, and never was
heard of more, although vessels were sent in every direction
in search of her. The general opinion therefore was that
she must have been destroyed by fire. Upwards of four
hundred persons perished in her.

About ten days after my arrival my father one day came
home in great haste to say he had just received undoubted
information that the Dolphin sloop of war would sail for
the Eawfc Indies in a week, under the command of Captain,
(afterwards Sir Digby) Dent, a gentleman he was un-
acquainted, with,, but would write to my old friend, Captain
Gambier, and Admiral Sir Samuel Cornish, to interfere in
my favour. Captain Gambier, in answer, said he knew
nothing of Dent, and could not apply ; Sir Samuel had only
a slight knowledge of him. Ho however gave me a letter
to Captain Dent, and therein said bo should consider it a
favour done to hinwelf if ho would take me out to Madras
This letter I left at Captain Dent's, being told he was not
at home, and afterwards called three different times with-

PROPOSED RETURN TO MADRAS 255

out meeting with him, which my father imagined my own
fault and insisted upon my being at his house before seven
o'clock the next morning, and not quitting it until I had
an interview. I obeyed in point of time ; his servant, with
a smile, said his master was already out. I thought I under-
stood the smile, and, presenting half a crown, begged leave
to wait in the passage for his return. " That, sir," (said the
man) " would cost me my place, but if you walk before the
door a quarter of an hour you will see him come out in
his uniform. He is now at breakfast and nearly done. My
orders are upon no account to let any stranger have access
to him, for that so many applications have been made to
him for passages to India, if he complied with one third he
ought to have the command of a first rate instead of a
sloop." I did as the man directed and soon saw my gentle-
man issue forth, to whom I marched up and accosted with :

" I came, sir, by desire of Sir Samuel Cornish for an
answer to a letter from him which I left with your servant
yesterday, and called again three times without being ablo
to see you."

" Yes," said the Captain, and you might have called
three hundred to as little purpose. It is utterly impossible
for me to give written answers to the innumerable letters
now addressed to me. Are you the person alluded to by
Sir Samuel ? "

I replied, " I was."

" Then," rejoined he, " you are not aware, young gentle-
man, of the thousandth part of the misery that awaits you
should you be forced into my ship against my inclination-
Hell will be nothing in comparison."

I boldly replied, " No fear of that sort should deter
me from going with him, and that as to being ill treated,
unless I deserved it, I saw by the benignity of his counte-
nance he was incapable of doing any one injustice."

He smiled and seemed pleased by the compliment.

" Well, Sir," said he, " present my respects to the Admiral
and tell him I will endeavour to comply, though I cannot
absolutely promise, having boon obliged to refuse a passage

256 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

to a nephew of one of the Lords of the Admiralty to whom
I am under personal obligations."

Upon reporting to my father what had passed, he desired
I would attend morning, noon, and night at the door of
Captain Dent, until I obtained his order to be received on
board the Dolphin. I accordingly did so, always addressing
the Captain as he passed in or out. At last he said to me :

" By God, you possess a good share of perseverance, and
I believe I shall contrive to stow you amongst my mids
(meaning midshipmen), but then you and your clothes
must be on board at Deptford by noon to-morrow, as she
will drop down from thence by one o'clock."

To be ready in so few hours I deemed impossible, but
my father instantly took me to Blunt's warehouse at
Charing Cross, and there purchased some ready made
shirts and other necessaries for the voyage. My former stock
still remained at the India house, where they are always
scandalously slow and dilatory in clearing the baggage of
passengers. Having packed these things in a trunk, my
father sent a servant with it to Hungerford stairs, where it
was put into a wherry to convey it and me to the Dolphin
at Deptford. The waterman, who knew perfectly well all
that was requisite, asked me if I had an order for the trunk,
&c., being received on board. Upon my replying in the
negative, he said :

" Then there will be no use in going along side, for damn
the stitch they'll take in."

Upon this I hurried away to Captain Dent's to ask for
an order, but no Captain could I find, though I remained
at the house until it was dark. I then returned home, and
my father desired me to be at Captain Dent's at day light
next morning to procure the order, if possible. If not, to
proceed with my trunk to Deptford, and get on board the
ship at any rate. I went, as desired, to Captain Dent's,
where a female informed me he had given up the house two
days before, and was gone, as she understood, to the Eestern
Indees. Upon this intelligence I went to my wherry at
Hungerford stairs, immediately departing for Deptford,

THE CAPTAIN'S BAD FAITH 25?

where upon my arrival I found the Dolphin had the pre-
ceding day dropped down to Gravesend. To that place
therefore I followed, and was there told she was at anchor
in the lower Hope. My London waterman refused to go
any farther, and I was obliged to hire a Gravesend boat in
which I went to the Hope. Arriving along side the Dolphin
late in the afternoon, the lieutenant in command received
me with the utmost civility. Upon hearing my account, he
politely said that as a visitor he should be glad to accommo-
date me as long as I chose to stay, but receiving me, or my
baggage, as a passenger without an order from Captain
Dent was quite out of the question, and equally so was the
possibility of my going to India in the ship, where there was
not a single inch unoccupied. In vain I urged what had so
recently passed between Captain Dent and me, and his
promise to take me.

" Oh, my good Sir," said the officer, " the Captain is so
circumstanced as to have been obliged to make a hundred
promises he at the time he made them knew he could not
fulfil. I have already seen upwards of a score young
gentlemen in the same predicament, equally disappointed
as you are, every one of whom had an unqualified promise
of a passage to India on board the Dolphin."

He also told me that Captain Dent left town that day
with the Government dispatches to meet the ship at Ports-
mouth, which he had no doubt they should reach the
following day. I had no alternative left, but requested the
lieutenant would give me in writing that he had peremp-
torily refused to receive me or my trunk on board the
Dolphin, which he immediately did, and at eleven o'clock
that night I got back to Gravesend, and the next day to
London.

As I had done every thing in my power no blame could
attach to me in this instance, nor did my father accuse me,
but he was highly offended at Captain Dent's behaviour,
and directly took me with him to the Admiralty, where
we ascertained all the lieutenant had told me was correctly
true. A clerk whom my father was acquainted with in-

8

258 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM H1CKEY

formed him that Captain Dent's conduct had been shameful,
for during that morning and the preceding day many young
men had been at the office with the Captain's order for their
being received on board, in their hands, saying he had
desired them to meet him at the Admiralty at stated hours,
when he knew he should be at Portsmouth and beyond their
reach. So much for the good faith of the worthy Captain
Digby Dent !

My father observed to me that as seven or eight months
must elapse before any of the Company's ships would sail,
it was incumbent on me to employ myself usefully for that
period, and not think of lounging about in dissipation and
indolence. He also insisted upon my laying aside my
military dress until I had a right to resume it, and recom-
mended me to endeavour to acquire some knowledge of the
laws of my country, which in every situation of life would
be useful, employing some hours daily in the study of
military tactics. I accordingly laid aside my cockade and
red coat and once more took my seat at a desk.

At the latter end of the month (April) the Cruttenden
arrived, when Bob Pott called upon me and I introduced
him to all my family, who were much pleased with him
and made him stay to dinner. The next morning he came
again, taking me to his father's house in Lincoln's Inn
Fields, where I was very kindly received by Mr. and Mrs.
Pott, and several of their daughters, as well as an elder
and younger brother of Robert's. I dined with them,
and in the evening accompanied Robert to Drury Lane
theatre to see Garrick's famous pageant of the Stratford
Jubilee, then in the height of its very long run ; it had
been got up at prodigious expence, in commemoration of the
rare talents of our celebrated dramatic author, Shake-
speare.

Scarce a day passed without Bob and me meeting ;
I frequently dined at his father's, where I always received
a hearty welcome from the whole family, especially Mr.
Pott senior. But early in June I thought I perceived a
change in his and others of the family's behaviour towards

A SLANDER BROUGHT HOME 259

me, which, daily became more evident. I often enquired of
Eobert if he knew the reason of this alteration, when he
answered he only guessed the cause, but should ascertain
it to a certainty soon, and the moment he did so would
inform me. A week afterwards he called to tell me it was
that despicable scoundrel, Baker, who had been prejudicing
his father by a thousand misrepresentations and falsehoods,
recommending my acquaintance with him (Eobert) should
be dropped as I was introducing him to improper company,
and should be the ruin of him. Enraged at such baseness
in Baker, who whenever I met him seemed happy to see me,
and paid me a number of compliments, I waited upon
Robert's father, to whom I represented how greatly I felt
the alteration in his manners towards me lately, desiring
to be informed of the occasion. This he evaded, assuring
me he was not conscious of any alteration in his conduct.
I expressed my surprize at hearing him gravely assert what
he must feel conscious was not the fact, adding that I had dis-
covered the calumniator in Captain Baker, whom I should call
to account for his infamous and malignant slander of me.
Mr. Pott endeavoured to dissuade me from resenting
what had passed, respecting which I begged to judge
for myself, and went immediately to Captain Baker's
lodgings attended by Robert's elder brother, who accom-
panied me at Robert's and my desire to witness what should
pass. We found him at home. I directly charged him with
his duplicity and baseness in unjustly traducing my charac-
ter. He looked very silly, stammered out some incoherent
words and, finally, positively denied ever having uttered
a syllable to my prejudice, nor had he any cause for so
doing. I then asked him whether he had not villified me to
Mr. Pott, Senior, advising him to insist upon his son Robert's
dropping my acquaintance, assigning reasons for such
advice highly prejudicial to my character. The despicable
wretch at once said, on his honour he had not, that he
merely gave his opinion in consequence of Robert's natural
volatility, that the less he was allowed to be abroad and in
company the better. I remarked that I must despise the

260 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

man who could give his honour to a deliberate lie, which,
coarse as the term was, I verily believed to be the case with
him, but as he chose now to deny the fact, it only remained
for me to caution him never in future to mention my name
with disrespect, as, if he did, and it came to my knowledge,
I should treat him as he deserved. We then left him without
any salutation, Mr. Pott, Junior, observing to me he had
never seen so despicable a fellow as Baker, and he should re-
late to his father most minutely the whole of the extra-
ordinary scene he had just witnessed. This he faithfully
did, and the next day I received a very kind note from
Mrs. Pott requesting me to dine in Lincoln's Inn Fields,
where I went, receiving a cordial welcome and hearty shake
of the hand by Mr. Pott, but not a word passed respecting
Baker, nor did I think it necessary to broach the disagree-
able subject knowing the unfair suspicion to be done away.
In May (1770) my much esteemed friend, McClintock,
took leave of me, and embarked for India, having been little
more than a month in England, but he was an uncommonly
prudent young man and anxious to get back to his duty.
With real grief I afterwards learnt that two days after
landing in excellent health at Madras, he was attacked
by one of the violent fevers of that inhospitable climate
which in four and twenty hours terminated his valuable
life. A more amiable and accomplished young man never
existed.

CHAPTER XXI

THE FORRESTS

Ethe Spring my father and throe sisters went to a house
_ie had taken at Richmond. I then for the first time
since my return made enquiries after my favourite Fanny
Hartford, who I found had married a gentleman, of fortune
who resided entirely in the country, and to the present day
I have never heard more of her.

I now renewed my acquaintance with many of my former
companions, male and female, and frequented the same
houses as previously to my visiting India, but not having
similar resources as then I was often hard run for cash
which drove me to various stratagems for " raising the
wind" and enabling me nightly to attend some place of
public amusement. I became a regular attendant at tho
Euphrates Lodge of Bucks, also at the Battensea Red House
meetings, the latter as much for the sake of the fair one I
have already spoken of under the designation of " Silver
tail," as for the exercise of field tennis.

I introduced Bob Pott, at his earnest request, to Tethring-
ton, who declared him to be the finest lad he had over mot
with, and became greatly attached to him.

During my Oriental trip my eldest sister, Mary, made
some new acquaintances in whose society she spent much
of her time. Amongst them were the Broadhead and
Forrest families. With the Forrests my family were particu-
larly intimate, and I soon, became equally so. It then
consisted of the mother (Mrs. Forrest), tho mont extra-
ordinary woman in respect of eccentricities that perhaps
ever lived. When I first saw her she must have been near
fifty, but was still beautiful Her father, whose name was
Lynch, possessed a handsome property in the Island of
Jamaica, when his lady being in a family way and her health

261

262 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

declining, he hurried her on board His Majesty's ship
Augustus Frederick, with the Captain of which he was inti-
mate, and during the passage to England Mrs. Lyncht was
delivered of a daughter who became the Mrs. Forrest I am
now speaking of. She was christened by the names of
" Juliana," after one of her own relations, " Frederica "
from the ship she was born on board of, " Marina " from
coming into the world upon the ocean, and "Cecilia " after
her mother. When I became acquainted she had eight
children, the eldest married to the Honourable John Byng,
brother and presumptive heir to Lord Viscount Torrington,
Julia, still a spinster, Cecilia, lately become the widow of
the Bight Honourable William Windham, Margaret, who
died a few years since, a spinster, Harriet, married to a Mr.
Maybank of Cornwall, and Augusta, married to Mr, Disney, a
gentleman of fortune. The other two were sons, Arthur, the
eldest, then about fifteen, at Harrow school, and Thomas, one
year younger, a charming boy, who almost rivalled my early
favourite, Pott, in my regard, and became equally attached
to me. He had just entered the navy as a midshipman, his
father then commanding the fleet on the Jamaica station.

Poor Tom's career was short whilst in the prime of
life, being a lieutenant on board Sir George Bodney's
Flag ship in the first relief of Gibraltar, and consequently
in the action that took place between the English and
combined fleets of France and Spain, he was unfortu-
nately the only officer of the Admiral's ship that received
a wound. A shot shattered his leg so severely it was obliged
to be amputated. He was landed at Gibraltar and con-
veyed to the quarters of his brother Arthur, then a subaltern
in one of the regiments doing duty in that garrison. The
wound was thought to be doing well when a sudden and
unfavourable change occurred, a violent fever ensued and
proved fatal, depriving his family and the nation of a young
man who, had it pleased the Almighty ruler of all things
to have spared his life, would in all probability have risen
to the head of, and proved an honour to, the British Navy.

In the year 1770 Mrs. Forrest, with all her children except

MRS. FORREST'S SPLENDOUR 263

Mrs. Byng, resided in a magnificent house in James Street,
Westminster, one front facing the Bird cage walk In St*
James's park. Her establishment of servants and equipage
were corresponding to the splendour of her mansion, and
I was told that she lived at the rate of six thousand a year.
She had likewise a fine country seat at Binfield in Berk-
shire, with a large quantity of ground. This the Commo-
dore (her father) had purchased some years before I knew
them, and he made several additions and improvements
to the house, building an entire suit of rooms connected
with the old part by a noble picture gallery, a spacious
drawing room, saloon, and music room, the latter an
octagon lighted from a dome, the walls having fixed into
them large paintings representing the different battles ho
had been engaged in from the time he arrived at tho rank
of Post Captain, particularly the famous one which did him
so much honour off Cape Francois in the Island of St.
Domingo, where three British Ships sought an engagement
with, and beat, six French that quitted their harbour and
run out to sea, not to fight, but to take our little squadron
into port, not having an idea that three would presume to
oppose or fire a gun at such fearful odds.

Forrest, as commanding officer, carried a Commodore's pen-
nant. He had been cruising off the harbour for several woolen,
forming an absolute blockade of six line of battle ships and a
multitude of small vessels therein anchored, with no more than
four ships, two of them of seventy four, and two of sixty four
guns, and one frigate. Having encountered several severe
storms in which all his ships sustained material damage,
one of the seventy four's so much as to be rendered incap-
able of keeping the sea and to be in hourly danger of going
to the bottom, Commodore Forrest directed her to make
as fast as possible for Kingston in Jamaica, ordering tho
frigate to attend and stay by in case she should not reach
her destined port, that at least, the lives of the officer* and
crew might thereby be preserved. The other three ships
remained upon their station. The French, seeing tho
blockaders reduced to three ships crippled by bad weather,

264 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

nobly resolved to take them, arrogantly boasting that should
either of the three discharge a single gun they would blow
them all out of the water, but as they did not imagine a shot
would be fired they requested the ladies of the Settlement
to prepare a Ball and Supper for the entertainment of the
Commanders, their prisoners, thus, as schoolboys say,
"reckoning their chickens before they were hatched."
Impudently confident, as Frenchmen generally are, they
left their harbour that had so long been a shelter to them,
colours flying, music playing, and accompanied by many
vessels, large and small, who went to see the British ships
taken possession of. Commodore Forrest, perceiving the
enemy getting under way, made a signal for the other two
Commanders to repair with all speed to him. Being
instantly obeyed, he addressed them thus :

" There come the six French ships. I think we ought to
fight them."

"Undoubtedly," replied the other two. (The shortest
council of war in all probability that ever was held.)

" Away with you to your respective ships then," said
Forrest, immediately making the Junior Commander's
signal to lead into action.

This Junior was Captain Suckling, recently made Post,
and who from chance never happened to have been in an
engagement. In his person and manners he was rather
effeminate, fond of dress, used perfumes, and attended much
to his person, which not meeting the approbation of the
Jack Tars, they had contemptuously nicknamed him
amongst themselves, " Fine Bones." Having regained his
ship he told the crew he was to lead, " and now, my gallant
fellows, for the honour of old England we'll shew them what
a handful of sound hearts can do," giving orders to trim the
sails and stand direct for the enemy. Whereupon the
ship's company gave three loud and hearty huzzas, crying
out, " Damn my eyes ! Well done, Fine Bones ! Fine Bones
for ever ! Three more cheers for Fine Bones," and again
they huzza'd, an example that was followed by the crews of
the other two ships,

A FAMOUS ACTION 265

Whilst running on to the French, Captain Suckling
privately addressed his first lieutenant, an old and gallant
officer, saying :

" You have often been in situations similar to that we are
entering upon. I never was. I know myself, my wishes,
and my determination, but it is possible I may err through
inexperience. Should you see anything of that sort set
me right, and I shall for ever acknowledge the obliga-
tion."

The enemy, all astonished at the presumption of the
English, upon seeing them approach instantly hove to and
formed into line of battle. Thus, instead of attacking,
quietly waiting to be attacked. In one hour at it they went
with such determined fury that tho whole of the attendant
vessels made a precipitate retreat out of gun shot. After an
engagement of two hours, four of tho French ships were so
mauled they left the line, the other two soon following their
example. The masts of one of them went over tho Hide, and
then it was the vessels that came out only for amusement
proved of the utmost use by towing their discomfited
countrymen back to the harbour, and so preserving them
from becoming prizes. The gallant English had tho
mortification to see this shameful retreat without being able
to prevent it, their rigging, masts, and yards being wholly
disabled, so that the ships became ungovernable* All the
three ships, besides the damage aloft, had several shot holes
between wind and water, which rendered it necessary with
the utmost dispatch to gain a port. With difficulty they
kept their battered vessels afloat until they reached Jamaica,
where, it is hardly necessary to say, the bravo fellows were
received with the utmost joy and admiration by a grateful
people.

The St. Domingo Captains were sadly laughed at by tho
inhabitants upon the disgraceful issue of the battle, and by
none with more bitter sarcasms than the ladies, who, not-
withstanding the disgrace of their naval officers, insisted
upon the entertainment's taking place that had been
prepared. They even shewed their contempt still further by

266 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

giving as the first toast after supper, " The three English
fighting captains." This engagement certainly redounded
much to the honour of our noble Tars.

Mrs. Forrest's two eldest (unmarried) daughters, Julia
and Cecilia, had just been presented at Court. Arthur, the
eldest son, as I have akeady mentioned, was at Harrow
school, educated in the full persuasion that he would inherit
a fortune of at least ten thousand pounds per annum.

Towards the end of the year 1770 Commodore Forrest was
promoted to the rank of Admiral. For several years he had
been grievously afflicted with the gout, and during his last
residence in England suffered such agony that almost in
despair he applied to Sir James Jay, a quack doctor who
had gained considerable reputation, and was in great
practice as a curer of the gout. One of his conditions was,
" No cure, no pay." In case of success a remuneration to
the medical man for his labour of five hundred pounds.
Under the Knight's management the Commodore when last
at home recovered from a severe fit in both hands and both
feet, and as he himself considered the cure perfect he,
without the least hesitation, paid the stipulated five
hundred pounds, soon after which he sailed for the West
Indies.

Another of Sir James Jay's patients, whom the Doc-
tor pronounced cured, chose to judge for himself, and
from certain acute twitches denied the disorder's being
eradicated. Sir James insisted that it was, and required
payment. The patient persisted in withholding the cash,
and was thereupon held to bail. Upon the trial in the
Court of King's Bench Sir James, the plaintiff, subpoened
many persons of rank and consequence to prove the cures
he had effected and consequent sums paid. Amongst these
witnesses was Mrs. Forrest, who deposed that her husband
had been perfectly cured by Sir James, and thankfully paid
five hundred pounds, that for several years previous to
putting himself under hi management he always had two
violent attacks in the twelvemonth, which confined him to
his Chamber several weeks, whereas eight months had then

A PERVERSE WOMAN 267

elapsed without the slightest return of the disorder. Upon
her evidence principally Sir James Jay obtained a verdict in
his favour, and at the very moment Mrs. Forrest was giving
that evidence her husband lay dead from an attack of the
gout in his stomach, at Jamaica ! !

Admiral Forrest by his Will left the whole of his landed
property, both in England and Jamaica, to his eldest son,
Arthur, subject to the payment of the widow's jointure
and the fortunes of all the younger children. A number of
executors were appointed, amongst whom was the much
talked of Mr. Elwes, 1 that strange compound of meanness
and liberality, who was sincerely attached to the Admiral.
These executors were all so afraid of involving themselves
in trouble and difficulties from the violent temper and ex-
travagant follies of Mrs. Forrest, that, with one exception,
they refused to act, and formally renounced. The exception
was Mr. Fox, an opposite neighbour at Binfield, and old
friend of Admiral Forrest's, to whose children and their
interest, he was zealously attached. By nature he was
morose and unforgiving when offended. He had always
pointedly expressed his disapprobation of Mrs. Forrest '
manner of bringing up a young family, especially the girls,
as well as at the unbounded extravagance in which she lived,
consequently, he was no favourite of hers, so far otherwise
that whenever he came to visit her husband she affronted
him either by word or deed, sometimes by both. His calls
were therefore seldom, and when the Admiral was at sea he
never entered the house.

Mr. Fox had peculiarities, but was universally con-
sidered as a man of the strictest integrity and honour-
able sentiments, and but for the strange misconduct of
Mrs. Forrest, the family and their property could not
have been in better hands than his. That strange and
perverse woman, instead of conciliating this gentleman,
every where, in public and in private, spoke of him as tho
most unprincipled wretch that evefT&xisted, a monster that
disgraced human nature, who, she was convinced, had

1 The notorious miser member of the House of Comment,

268 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

accepted the office of executor solely with a view to rob
herself and children, that she would watch him closely, and
if she detected him at any of his rogue's tricks, as she was
sure she would, she should do all in her power to hang him.

Mr. Fox was not a man patiently to submit to such Tile
abuse, such undeserved opprobrium, even from a female,
yet for the sake of the children of his deceased friend lie
made some attempts to stop the inveteracy of the lady, and
induce a more moderate and decorous behaviour. But all his
efforts were unavailing, seeming to produce more outrageous
language, if that were possible, and more calumnies than
ever. The consequence was natural enough. Mr. Fox
became her declared enemy, and a most serious one he
proved, whereby not only herself, but the family were
involved in the deepest distress and ultimate ruin.

Upon Admiral Forrest's death the widow found herself
involved in debt to an amount of many thousand pounds
and no funds from which to discharge them. Such a situa-
tion, instead of bringing her to her senses, as might have
been hoped it would, appeared to have a contrary effect
upon this inconsiderate woman, who continued her un-
bounded extravagance. She applied to Mr. Willis, the
agent in London, to whom the consignments of the produce
of the Jamaica estate were made, for money, and received
for answer he had not fifty pounds in his possession, and if
he had, his constituent being dead, he should not be justified
in making any advances until there was a legal representative
to grant, him a proper discharge for the same. He also
informed her he was sorry to hear the crops of the preceding
year had failed, and the returns would be little or nothing,
while the current expences of the plantations "continued,
were even increasing, and must be paid from the earliest
produce. Even this gloomy statement operated not upon
Mrs. Forrest, nor occasioned the smallest retrenchment.
Her folly was not to be checked until the direst necessity
compelled some alteration. At the end of a year she could
not raise cash to pay the baker, butcher, and other domestic
demands, and this alone made her ungraciously consent to

MRS. FORREST'S EMBARRASSMENTS 269

part with the immense house in the park. She however did
so, and scarcely remedied the evil thereby, for she took
another, certainly not near the size, but still far too large
and expensive for her means, in Newman Street, where she,
as thentofore, gave frequent splendid and costly entertain-
ments ! Never was there so thoughtless a creature. Her
language too was as strange as her general behaviour, as for
instance : I was at a card table at her house with a party of
young people of both sexes, two of her daughters being of it,
the game loo, when she came to the back of one of the
young lady's chairs and exclaimed in a loud voice, " Well,
I declare that game does always surprize mo. To hoar a
parcel of girls crying out, " Oh, Lord, I'm loo'd (lewd) and
I'm loo'd, and then the young men declaring they are loo'd
also ! Indeed, I don't wonder at that, or see how it can
possibly be otherwise ! It is abominably indecent ! " and
away she walked, leaving the women confounded with shame
and blushes at the old lady's most ill-timed remark, the men
ready to drop from laughter.

Mrs. Forrest, by continuing her immoderate oxpcnccs,
greatly increased her embarrassments ; she at length bo-
came seriously alarmed upon some of the creditors begin-
ning to be importunate for payment of their demands,
and she thought she saw the gates of a jail gaping wide
to receive her: whereupon she wept bitterly, protesting
that being sent to prison would be the death of her,
and they had better shoot her at once. Some real
friends to the family availed themselves of this fright,
advising her to seek shelter in her own house at Binfiold,
where alone she could be secure from personal restraint.
With the utmost eagerness she consented to do so, im-
mediately ordered post horses, and away she went, leaving
her daughters with their governess, an intelligent, clever
woman, to pack up and follow into Berkshire. Thus a
sudden and unexpected reform commenced, for which,
however, no merit could be ascribed to Mrs. Forrest, who
alone yielded to the terror of the moment. The Newman
Street house was let, the carriages, except that one she took

270 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

out of town, sold, and the number of servants materially
reduced. Although thus deprived of the means of living as
she had always done, in one continued bustle and scene of
riot, she was determined still to be particular, and as unlike
as possible to the rest of the world. She therefore reversed
the common order of time, going to bed when others rise, and
rising when others go to bed, literally turning night into day,
and day into night. Soon after her retreat to the country,
it was deemed necessary from the involved state of the whole
family and of the Jamaica estates, to make some applica-
tion to the Lord Chancellor on behalf of the children, or
those under age. After much consideration, what is pre-
posterously termed an amicable suit was instituted in the
Court of Chancery, which for many subsequent years was
carried on with as much rancour and hostility, and at as
great an expence as any cause could be. The single good
arising from it was that the Chancellor ordered three
hundred pounds per annum to be paid out of the first
proceeds of the Jamaica property for the support and
maintenance of the family. His Lordship also appointed a
receiver to manage the estates.

Thus was the infatuated, the dashing, gay, Mrs. Forrest
at once reduced from the utmost splendour and extravagance
to a state little short of penury. Even that sad change
could not open her eyes, and as far as circumstances
admitted, or she could get credit, she still betrayed the same
disposition to profusion, the same contempt for money as
ever. I, who was one of her few favorites, was frequently
invited to Binfield. Whenever I went, my being there was
made an excuse for having five times the quantity of
provisions that were necessary. To such an extent was this
carried that I told her I never would visit her again without
her giving me a promise (and keeping it, too) that no
addition whatever should be made to the family fare on my
account. Her delightful daughters often expressed their
surprize not only at the speeches I made, and the lectures I
gave their mother, but at the composure and temper she
received from me what, had the same thing been said by any

THE FAMILY MANSION IMPROVED 271

other person, would have almost driven her frantic. Indeed,
she herself sometimes remarked I had more influence over
her than all the rest of the world, which she chiefly attributed
to the affection her darling boy, Tom, entertained for me.

In December 1770 Pott again went to India in the
Cruttenden with Captain Baker, as fifth mate ! About the
same period, too, Tom Forrest went upon a cruise in a
frigate.

Amongst the new acquaintances my family had made
during my voyage to Madras were several young men of
fashion, particularly Sir Watts Horton, Mr. Campbell
(now Lord Gwydir), Mr. Loraine Smith, the Duke of Hamil-
ton, and Mr. Windham, the gentleman I have already (by
anticipation) mentioned as the husband of Miss Cecilia
Forrest, to all of whom I was introduced.

My father having purchased tho house next to his own
in St. Albans Street, pulled it down and rebuilt it as an
addition to his, which was easily made from there being a
party wall through which doors were broken. This being
the case the new building had neither staircase nor street
door, a circumstance that created much wonder in persons
passing. The addition made it a most capital mansion, one
of the advantages being, instead of a common passage,
the entering into a handsome hall, with a fire place, tho
room that had been my brother's and the clerk's office
being a part of it. In the new dining parlour, towards tho
street, was a magnificent marble chimney piece, richly in-
laid with ormolu, which beautiful piece of workmanship
was presented to my father by that ingenious mechanist,
Mr. Cox (the founder of the famous museum that bore his
name exhibited at Spring Garden rooms) as a token of
gratitude for important benefits conferred by extricating
him from various law suits he had long been involved in.
My father being possessed of a very choice collection of
valuable paintings, the tout ensemble of his new house
when completed was truly elegant.

Notwithstanding I generally spent the evening at some
public place, I was diligent and attentive to business

272 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

throughout the day, which brought forth some compli-
ments from my father, who observed, if I persevered, it was
not yet too late to make myself a proficient in the law, and
should I prefer so doing to continuing in the military line
he had not any objection. He, however, desired me to con-
sider well ere I resolved, and not to pursue the law unless
I felt confident of myself, and that I should not fall into
similar errors as formerly. As usual, I deceived myself,
thinking I possessed more resolution and fortitude than was
in my nature. At the expiration of a month I told my
father I had maturely thought upon the subject, was con-
vinced I could now control my passions, resist temptation,
and act in every respect as prudence dictated. I therefore
determined to stick to the desk. He answered, " Be it so,
William, with all my heart, and I hope and trust I never
shall have another occasion to upbraid you on the score
of disappointing me*"

CHAPTER XXII

ACQUAINTANCES IN TOWN

DURING the winter of 1770, and the whole of 1771, 1
read a good deal, and attended the duties of an Attor-
ney's office with tolerable regularity, though I continued to
frequent public places, especially Ranelagh, which of all
others was most to my liking. In those days people went
there well dressed, the men always in swords, and though
I had resigned my cockade, I retained the use of side arms.
I dropped most of my Wetherby acquaintances, taking in
their stead a set of more respectability, amongst whom were
Messrs. Prescott, Byde, and Lowry, all three sons of eminent
Bankers ; also Robert Mitford, brother to the Captain of
the Northumberland Indiaman ; (their father was im-
mensely rich, though he still continued the business of a
woollen draper in Cornhill) Farrer, a Barrister, who after-
wards acquired a rapid and largo fortune as an Advocate of
the Supreme Court at Calcutta, and several other young
men whose incomes were so large as to enable them to live
at great expence. Here was the rock upon which I split,
absurdly endeavouring to do as they did without reflecting
that my allowances were very inadequate.

In the winter of 1771 a set of wild young men made their
appearance, who from the profligacy of their manners and
their outrageous conduct in the theatres, taverns and
coffee houses in the vicinity of Covent Garden, created
general indignation and alarm, actually driving away many
sedate persons from their customary amusement in an
evening. They were distinguished under the title of
" Mohawks," and as such severely attacked by the public
news papers, which, instead of checking, seemed to stimulate
their excesses. They consisted of only four in number,
their Chief, Rhoan Hamilton (afterwards known aa an Irish
T 273

274 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

Rebel by the name of Hamilton Rhoan, he having taken
what had been his Christian for a surname). This gentle-
man, when he first came forward in the character of Mo-
hawk, was in the prime of life, a remarkably fine figure
upwards of six feet high, and perfectly well made. He,
being a man of fortune, was the principal hero. The second
in command was Mr. Hayter, whose father was an opulent
merchant and Bank Director ; the third, a Mr. Osborne, a
young American who had come to England to study law ;
and the last, Mr. Frederick, a handsome lad without a
guinea, said to be a son, or grandson, of the much talked
of and unfortunate Theodore, King of Corsica. He had
dubbed himself with the convenient travelling title of
" Captain," but no one knew from what Corps he derived
that rank.

This Quartette were in a constant state of inebriety,
daily committing the most wanton outrages upon unoffend-
ing individuals who unfortunately fell in their way. It
fell to my lot to witness much of their insolent proceedings,
for at the time they commenced them I belonged to two
different Clubs, one at the Shakespear, the other at the
Piazza Coffee house, at the quitting of which I generally fell
in with those formidable fellows, and being brim full of wine,
I invariably attacked them, reprobating their scandalous
behaviour, and delivering my opinion thereon in unqualified
terms of disapprobation, so much so that the by standers
have often been astonished that they did not instantly
assail me. They sometimes did violently threaten, notwith-
standing which I persevered in reprobating their conduct
and abusing them whenever we met, becoming so determined
an opponent that I was soon distinguished by the, at least,
less dishonourable title of, "The anti-Mohawk," under
which I had some high flown compliments paid me by the
sober old Dons of the Coffee houses annoyed by their
enormities. These gentry did not always act together,
sometimes separating and even singly insulting the quiet
and well disposed, but at a certain hour of the night they
always met, usually at Lovejoy's, laying their plans of

THE MOHAWKS 275

mischief for the ensuing day. The following instance of
brutality I was, in part, an eye witness of. I was waiting
in the Piazza Coffee room for some friends with whom I had
promised to go to the play, when Hamilton came in very
drunk, according to custom. After talking to me a few
minutes (for I was acquainted with all the four Mohawks)
he walked to the Bar, there asking Dennis, the master of
the house, " who was above ? " Dennis replied :

" None of your friends, sir."

"I understood," said Hamilton, "there were a party
in the blue room."

" No, sir," answered Dennis, " a single gentleman whom
I do not know, is there waiting for three others whom
he expects."

" Aye," said Hamilton, " then, Dam'me if I don't go
and take a peep at your stranger," and up he walked,
Dennis following.

The latter soon returned, entreating I would go up and
endeavour to get Mr. Hamilton away, for he was apprehen-
sive of mischief. I accordingly ascended. Upon entering
the room I saw Hamilton standing in a boxing attitude,
whilst a genteel looking young man of very slight form, and
apparently in bad health, was striking at him without
effect, as he met every intended blow before it could reach
him with a severe stroke from himself under the assailant's
arm. I directly stepped between them, saying to Hamil-
ton :

" Is this a proof of your valour ? Such a Herculean
fellow as you are to attack such a man as this ! For shame,
for shame, Hamilton, you deserve to be scouted from the
society of gentlemen."

Instead of any expression of anger at this address, he
immediately answered :

" By God, it is very true, Hickey ! I am ashamed of

myself," and, turning to the gentleman, he continued,

' And, sir, I beg you ten thousand pardons. I have behaved

scandalously, and will make every concession you demand.

Can you forgive me ? Again I beg your pardon."

276 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

In the moment of this conciliatory speech in came
Frederick, who instantly exclaimed, " What's this I hear ?
Zounds ! Hamilton, do you beg any man's pardon ! "

Hamilton, in a moment, replied :

" No, by God, not to any one breathing, 53 and turning
to the stranger, he added, "I have beat you, and I'm
damned glad of it. You are a damned scoundrel. How-
ever, if you wish for it I'll give you satisfaction whenever
you please. Hickey knows me ; every body knows Hamil-
ton, you scoundrel."

Upon this most extraordinary change of conduct, brought
about by that despicable adventurer, Frederick, I felt
extremely angry, and told Frederick he was an infamous
bully that deserved to be kicked down stairs. He half
drew his sword, when he was seized by Dennis and several
gentlemen whom the noise had brought up from the coffee
room, and forcibly carried down, when both he and Hamil-
ton, becoming extremely riotous and violent, the gentlemen
in the coffee room insisted upon the Watch being called,
or a constable. With considerable difficulty the two heroes
were carried off to the Round House, and there lodged for
the night.

The stranger returned me his sincere thanks for my
interference. He told me his name was Hare, that he came
to the Piazza to meet some friends with whom he was to
sup, that when Mr. Hamilton (whom he did not know)
came into the room he was writing a letter, that Hamilton
approaching the table without speaking, took up the ink-
stand, which he was carrying off, when he (Mr. Hare) said,
" Sir, I am using that ink, you must not take it away,"
whereupon Hamilton turned round, seized the half written
letter from the table and tore it to pieces, that he (Hare),
amazed at such an act, asked what he could mean. " Mean,"
retorted Hamilton, "I mean to give you a damned good
licking," and accompanied this threat by putting his
clenched fist close to Hare's face; that he, (Hare)
fired with indignation at such brutality, and nothing
doubting but that the assailant would strike him, made

A RELENTING DUELLIST 277

a blow at Hamilton, which he met, striking the arm
of Hare underneath, and so continued to do until he
(Hare) was no longer able to raise his arm from his side,
as already mentioned. Mr. Hare then took off his coat
and, turning up his shirt sleeves, the flesh of the right arm
appeared black and dreadfully bruised from the wrist to
the shoulder, which he said was attended with acute pain.
He begged I would attend the following morning before the
Magistrate to relate such part of the transaction as I had
seen, which I did at Sir John Fielding's, who, upon taking
the deposition of Mr. Hare, mine, and Dennis's, (the latter
being summoned) compelled the two, Hamilton and
Frederick, to give ample security to appear to any indict-
ment or prosecution Mr. Hare might prefer against thorn,
or either of them, he (Mr. Hare) being required to enter into
a recognizance to prosecute the culprits at the then next
Sessions.

Mr. Hare's feelings as a gentleman were by no means
satisfied with the above measures ; the hour therefore
that he recovered the use of his arm he sent a challenge
to Hamilton; which was accepted without hesitation, per-
sonal spirit being one of tho few qualities Mr. Hamilton
possessed. They met, with each a second, when Hamilton
received the fire of his antagonist, immediately discharg-
ing his own pistol in the air, desiring Hare to fire again
if he chose it. Hare urged him to return his fire, say-
ing it was no compensation for the uncommon ill treat-
ment he had received to stand a single shot, and that a
refusal to return his fire, of course, made it impossible for
him to proceed. Hamilton persisted in refusing to attempt
taking the life of a man he had already so grossly and so unpro-
vokedly insulted and maltreated, for which, since he became
sober and conscious of his ill behaviour, he felt the utmowt
distress and concern. This apology, so full and unasked for,
was by both the seconds considered as sufficient to satisfy
the wounded honour of Mr. Hare. The latter gentleman
therefore yielded to this opinion, and was about to quit the
ground, when Hamilton, addressing him, said he was so

278 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

ashamed of himself on account of what had passed that
there was no reparation within his power he would not
readily consent to, even to the insertion of an apology in the
public news papers. This offer was as handsomely refused
by Mr. Hare, who professed himself entirely satisfied with
the last declaration of Mr. Hamilton. They then parted
with mutual civilities.

What a lamentable thing that a man with such proper
and becoming sentiments as Hamilton expressed at this
meeting should ever have been guilty of the atrocious
excesses and violence he was, not only before, but subse-
quent to the above transaction. The fact is, his dissolute
companions kept him in a constant state of intoxication,
whereby they found they could manage him as they
pleased, besides supplying themselves from his purse with
cash, a scarce article with two of his associates, Frederick
and Osborne.

Mr. Hare being upon the eve of departure for the East
Indies, embarked prior to the commencement of the
Sessions, whereby the offenders escaped prosecution, and
the consequent punishment they so much deserved. Mr.
Hare went to Bengal as an Advocate of the Supreme
Court, where from his strong recommendations he obtained
from the Government a contract so advantageous as to
enable him in four years to set out on his return to Europe
over land. Whilst on his journey he imprudently let his
attendants see some diamonds and other valuable articles
in his writing desk. This induced them to murder him as
he lay asleep upon the banks of the Euphrates, into which
river they threw, his body, went off with the property, and
were never afterwards heard of.

In the Spring of 1772 my friend, Pott, returned from his
second voyage to China, and immediately called upon me.
He had grown an elegant figure, retaining all his beauty, and
was soon pronounced by the women to be the handsomest
young man in London. He told me Baker was an infamous
scoundrel, and he had again proved him to be a despicable
poltroon also, having submitted to his (Pott's) spitting in

FATHER AND SON 279

his face, which, he actually had done a few days before he
left the Cruttenden. "And thus," added he, "ends my
career as mate of an Indiaman, for never more will I set
my foot on board ship in that capacity." Upon which 1
asked what he intended to do in future. His reply was
" Curse me, if I know, William, not having yet given it a
thought. The old boy " (his father) " must carve out
something dashing for me."

About a week after his return I received an invitation
to dine in Lincoln's Inn Fields, when the father complained
to me in strong terms of Robert's conduct, observing that
what might have been forgiven in him as a mere boy
became inexcusable at a more mature age. He said he had
scrupulously enquired into all the circumstances of his last
voyage, in every point of which he found Robert in the
wrong, and that his behaviour to his commander had been
most improper and disrespectful, in some instances scarcely
short of mutiny. Mr. Pott also told me that .Robert's
conduct outward bound had been so inconsiderate that after
several unavailing remonstrances, Captain Baker had been
under the necessity of breaking him, but upon their arrival
in China, at the intercession of the supercargoes, had re-
instated him, promising to bury in oblivion all that had
passed to that period, notwithstanding which his (Robert's)
conduct on the homeward passage was more outrageous
than ever. At this unfavourable representation of his
conduct Robert only laughed, which put his father into
a great rage, and he swore that he might starve if he chose
to abandon the line chalked out for him. Then, addressing
me, he said :

" Is this behaviour to bo endured ? This favorite of
yours, Mr. Hickey, will certainly drive me mad. Hero have
I been making an interest to bring him forward in the service
and procure for him the command of a ship, which ho might
have after one voyage more, and the bastard has the im-
pudence to tefl me he will not upon any terms go such
voyage ! "

" Nor will I, sir," said Robert, interrupting his father.

280 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

" There is not a single gentleman amongst them, nor shall
any thing make me mix or have to do with such a set of
low blackguards."

"Very fine, very fine, proud sir," replied Mr. Pott,
" but niay I be so bold as to ask how you intend to
live. Is it upon your fortune, sir ? If it be, I give you
joy ! but, by God, that fortune will not come from me.
Already more than your just proportion has, I am sorry to
say, been wasted upon you, and certainly I shall not stint
the rest of my children in order to support you in extrava-
gance and folly."

Robert coolly answered he was far from wishing he should
do so, that he was, however, satisfied if he (the father)
chose it, he could easily obtain a writership in the Com-
pany's service at Bengal, and to such a situation he looked.

During the summer Robert and I were constantly
together, making frequent excursions round the vicinity of
London. I generally dined or ;e a week with his family.
Mr. Pott at last told me that as he found Bob so obstinately
determined to abandon the sea altogether he must try
what he could do to procure for him the appointment of a
writer. Bob by this time had become quite a London
rake. He displayed peculiar taste in dress, though carried
to excess in point of fashion, soon becoming the envy of
all the young men of his day. I was one morning walking
arm in arm with him in St. James's park, his dress then
being a white coat, cut in the extremity of ton, lined
with a Garter blue satin, edged with ermine, and orna-
mented with rich silver frogs ; waistcoat and breeches of the
same blue satin, trimmed with silver twist a la Hussar, and
ermine edges. In our walk we met young Horneck, then
Bob's counterpart both as to person and age, who had just
become an ensign in the Guards. Horneck, struck with
the figure and appearance of my companion, when abreast
of us, stopped and stared rather rudely. Whereupon Pott,
turning towards him, said to me, "Look, William ! there is
a coxcomb that cannot bear a competitor, jealous as the
devil and envious too ! " accompanying his remark by a

LESSONS IN ART 281

peculiarly provoking laugh that was natural to him. Hor-
neck coloured deeply, seemed mortified, but said not a word
and went on his way.

The life I now led was by far too dissipated, and occa-
sioned very frequent remonstrances from my father, who
tried a variety of means to keep me at home. As he knew
I was fond of drawing he most kindly and considerately
engaged a very ingenious man, Mr. Thomas Malton, to
attend me twice a week and give me instruction therein,
as well as in geometry and perspective. This Mr. Malton
had been for several years a cabinet maker, having a large
shop in the Strand, but as nature had blessed him with an
extraordinary mechanical genius he was constantly en-
gaged in experiments upon different subjects therein,
employing every leisure hour in attaining a proficiency in
the different branches of mathematics and natural philo-
sophy. So powerfully did this inclination operate as his
knowledge increased that he at length relinquished his trade,
giving himself up entirely to his favorite studies. In less
than a year after he had so done, he delivered a course of
lectures upon Geometry, in which he shewed such talents
and ingenuity as gained him not only the applause, but the
support and patronage of some of the most learned and
able men of those days, which proved of importance, for
he left off business with only about two thousand pounds,
having then a wife and six children, three boys and three
girls. The eldest son (about sixteen) when an infant had
the misfortune to fracture his leg so badly as to make
amputation of the broken limb necessary. He, however,
recovered, using the wooden substitute with wonderful
dexterity and agility, running up and down stairs faster
than I could with my legs perfect. This mutilated boy
possessed as extraordinary genius as his father, and was
one of the best draftsmen in England. He afterwards exe-
cuted and published many works that deservedly gained
him both profit and credit. The eldest girl, at the time
the father came to attend me, was thirteen years of age,
looking older, and very pretty. The rest of the children

282 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

were infants. Of this family I shall have occasion to speak
again, as I became an inmate of their house.

Mr. Malton, at different periods, produced some works of
considerable merit ; amongst them were a treatise upon
Geometry and another upon Perspective, both which were
greatly admired and speedily ran through several editions.
This was the more extraordinary as he was self taught, never
having had a master or instructor in any one branch of the
mathematics. Upon his first coming to me, I made some
objection to losing my time, as I ignorantly termed it, upon
geometry, which made him observe that It was the founda-
tionf, the very key stone of perspective, in which no man could
be a proficient without being a geometrician. I therefore
yielded to his advice, but am sorry to add, that while taking
lessons from him in that science my thoughts often wandered
from the subject, and when he imagined me all attention I
was thinking of the party I was engaged to pass the evening
with, or of some other more remote scene of folly. This
however, only continued while I was at the, to me, dry
study of geometry, for to perspective, which I was very
desirous of gaining a knowledge of, I paid sufficient atten-
tion, making a progress therein that highly gratified both
my teacher, Malton, and my father. I had taken a rough
sketch of my friend, Mr. Symmons's, house and garden at
Battersea, (with whom, notwithstanding my dissipation, I
still kept up an intimacy). This sketch Mr. Malton acci-
dentally seeing in my portfolio, he pointed out several
glaring faults and mistakes, and he proposed my making
a correct drawing from it, which I immediately set about
and executed under his eye, producing a chaste and highly
finished representation of that beautiful mansion, bringing
into the view a part of the river Thames, with his yacht at
anchor off the house with several boats and barges passing
by. I begged Mr. Symmons's acceptance of it when done,
and greatly pleased him thereby. He had it elegantly
framed and hung up in the principal room.

At the end of the month of June this year (1772) my
father went to Paris in order to take my sisters, Ann and

TO BATH WITH WILLIAM BURKE 283

Sarah, away from the Convent of Panthemont. On the
25th of July they all three returned in health and safety to
London.

Towards the close of the year Pott told me his father
had procured for him a writership on the Bengal establish-
ment, but that he should not go out for a twelvemonth at
soonest. Being sincerely attached to him, I was happy
to hear he had succeeded in his object, though I regretted
the consequent loss of his society.

About this period Mrs. Cholmondeley, whom I have before
spoken of, informed me that Robert, her youngest son, was
going to India as a writer. At her desire I wrote by Mm to
my Plassey shipmates, Rider and Grant, (with the former
of whom I kept up a regular correspondence) for the pur-
pose of procuring two pleasant and useful acquaintances.
I was, however, disappointed in that object by the ship,
Duke of Albany, which he was on board of, being lost in
Balasore roads, where many of the crew perished, all being
in imminent danger of sharing the same fate. Cholmondeley,
with some other passengers, were picked up by the pilot
schooner. He was a clever lad, and, had he lived, would
have made a figure, but at the end of two years he was
carried off by a bilious fever.

Mr. Henry Ramus, another acquaintance of mine, went
out a writer the same season. His eldest brother, George,
and I were contemporaries at Westminster and great
cronies. By Henry I also wrote to Rider and Grant. Rider
shewed him every attention and kindness in Ms power ;
Grant had left Bengal and returned to England for the
recovery of his health.

In the month of December my father, by way of recrea-
tion, took me with him to Bath. I therefore took leave of
Pott and the rest of my London associates for a few weeks,
and on the 10th my father, Mr. William Cane, and Mr.
William Burke, set off in a post coach. We slept at Marl-
borough, reaching Bath the next day to dinner. Here I
passed six weeks very agreeably. Two days after our
arrival I met, at the pump room, the above mentioned

284 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

James Grant, with whom I made several pleasant excursions
about the country on horseback, thus varying our scenes
of amusement.

On the 17th of January 1773, the same four left Bath on
our return to Town, again stopping for the night at Marl-
borough, at the " White Hart," an Inn though not so
magnificently furnished as the " Castle," in no way inferior
in respect to the fare, the wines, and attendants, their
claret being uncommonly good. While sitting at table over
this generous liquor my father said to Mr, Burke, "Come
now, Will, as all present are sincerely devoted to you, tell
us what is your true state at present with respect to India
Stock."

It is necessary here to premise that at this period a violent
struggle subsisted between two parties, both of great weight
and influence, relative to the affairs in India, the Chief on
one side being Lord Clive, on the other Mr. Laurence
Sullivan, who had long been in the habit of opposing each
other. Numerous individuals of fortune engaged in the
interests of these rivals for power, the contest, in fact,
being which of them should ride lord paramount over the
East India Company. Mr. William Burke was a Sullivanite.
The different manoeuvres adopted by the respective parti-
sans, the various and contrariety of reports mutually pro-
pagated for political purposes, frequently influenced, and to
a considerable extent, the value of the Stock. It had con-
sequently been foreseen that whichever party finally pre-
vailed the other must be involved in inextricable ruin.

To the question put, Mr. Burke replied :

" I will tell you, Joe, honestly and fairly. Here is a
letter," taking one from his pocket, " which I received from
my Broker this day, an hour before we left Bath, clearly
demonstrating that, was I now to retire, I could realise
eighty thousand pounds ! "

Upon hearing this my father and Mr. Cane directly
exclaimed :

" Then, for God's sake, my dear Will, do so. Cut forth-
with without losing a day."

WILLIAM BURKE'S MISTAKE 285

"No, my friends/ 5 said Mr. Burke, "not yet. Our
party act upon a certainty, and are not to be shaken.
When we started I was let into the secret, and knew it
could not be otherwise. The sum I fixed upon was a plum
(one hundred thousand pounds). I shall soon accomplish
my object, and will then bid them good morning."

They both begged, entreated, and said every thing in
their power to induce him to secure what he had already
acquired, justly observing that he would be quite as happy
with eighty thousand pounds as with a million. All which
he admitted, but still repeated his determination to acquire
the amount first fixed as the bounds of his ambition. Need
the issue be stated. Lord dive's party ultimately proved
successful, and Sullivan's were undone. This happened
within two months after the Marlborough conversation.
Mr. William Burke not only lost the eighty thousand
pounds, but every guinea he had in the world at the back
of it. His friend, Earl Verney, who had espoused the same
side, was an actual sufferer to the enormous amount of
two hundred thousand pounds.

The day after my return to town Joseph Pott, the next
brother to Robert, whom I had frequently called upon,
and tipped at Eton School, came to St. Albans Street, and
to my inexpressible surprize informed me that Robert had
departed for Calcutta, being then at Portsmouth on board
the Houghton, Captain Smith, wind bound, that this
measure was resolved on and every thing arranged previous
to my going to Bath, but kept secret from me to avoid the
pain of a formal parting, which Robert said he could not
support and thought it better for both to keep clear of.
I felt vexed at thus unexpectedly losing my young favorite,
but derived consolation from the society of Tom Forrest,
who had just landed from a very successful six months'
cruise. With him I went in February to Chatham to see
the Coventry frigate, the ship he then belonged to. I
lived much with the different branches of his family, making
occasional visits to his strange mother at Binfield. In the
summer I went to Harrow on the hill to see the silver arrow

286 MEMOIRS OP WILLIAM HICKEY

shot for, Arthur Forrest, her eldest son, being a competitor,
though an unsuccessful one, for the prize. The shooting for
an honorary reward had been a practice long in use with
the boys of Harrow school, nor did I ever hear the reason
why it stopped, but the above was the last time it ever was
shot for. At the holidays which followed the arrow cere-
mony Arthur Forrest left school, soon after which an
Ensigncy in the Guards was purchased for him, whereupon
he sported the smart Regimentals, and although yet a mere
stripling launched out into all the follies of a London life.
He continued to be encouraged with the hope, indeed, the
certainty, of stepping into a large fortune upon coming of
age, and in that delusive expectation, as it unhappily proved,
he raised money at the usual exorbitant rate to such an
amount as to involve him in the utmost distress, and
finally to drive him to seek refuge in a foreign land.

CHAPTER XXIII

SOME DUELS AND SOME SAILING

I CONTINUED but in an increased degree every month
to attend to my different Club meetings, drank to excess,
and in drunkenness often fell in with the Mohawks, whom
I always vehemently opposed, notwithstanding which I
escaped personal ill treatment from them, to the surprize
of all who witnessed the abuse I gave them.

In July of this summer, 1773, I was present when a
circumstance occurred that engaged the attention of the
public, and filled a large portion of the daily papers for
several months. A family party were at Vauxhall, consisting
of Mrs. Hartley, the then celebrated actress, the Reverend
Mr. Bate, who was married to her sister, which Mr. Bate
was Editor of a very popular news paper recently published
under the title of the Morning Post, and had made himself
conspicuous by the extraordinary freedom of his writings.
He was considered to be a man of abilities and honourable
sentiments, his person remarkably good. His wife and
two or three other relations formed the group. There was
also in the Gardens that evening three young men of the
haut ton, like men of that description exceeding bad
members of society, acting, although in a somewhat less
degree of infamy the same offensive part as the Mohawks.
First on the list stood George Robert Fitzgerald, a relative
of the Earl of Bristol. In person he was uncommonly slim
and delicate, his address mild and insinuating in an un-
common degree, yet in temper and behaviour at times
ferocious beyond measure. In age not more than twenty five,
yet even at that early stage he had fought several duels, in
one of which he received a dangerous wound in the head, the
ball carrying away a piece of his skull, in the place whereof
a plate of silver was substituted after he had undergone

287-

288 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

the operation of trepanning. His advocates gave this as
a reason for his subsequent incorrectnesses, alleging that
his brain was affected. He was a lieutenant of cavalry.
The next was the Honourable Mr. Littleton, who soon after
succeeded to the peerage by the same title, and as worthless
a fellow as ever drew breath. The third was Mr. Croftes,
who commanded a troop in Burgoyne's famous regiment of
Light horse. By nature and disposition he was a well
disposed young man had he not been led away by the
fashionable vices of those he lived with, following their evil
example to support what was improperly termed " life."
These three gentlemen, for so by the courtesy of the country
they were called, in walking the circle, thought proper
to stare rudely in Mrs. Hartley's face, which having re-
peated in two or three rounds, Mr. Bate, in polite and mild
language, remonstrated. This produced only a scornful
laugh, and a repetition of their impertinence. Whereupon
Mr. Bate told them their behaviour was ungentlemanlike,
and if they presumed to offer further insult he should be under
the necessity of chastising them. A scuffle ensued, and blows
passed, especially between Croftes and Bate. The conflict
was, however, soon stopped by the spectators, when cards
were exchanged, Mr. Bate promising to meet Croftes the
following day at the Turks head coffee house in the Strand,
there to arrange a more serious meeting. Mr. Bate was
punctual to his appointment. He found Captain Croftes
waiting in a private room ; weapons, time and place, were
fixed upon, when Fitzgerald, Littleton, and a person in a
military dress entered the room, Fitzgerald directly
saying :

" Croftes, what are you about ? You can have nothing
to do upon this occasion," and turning to Mr. Bate, he
continued, "Here, sir, is the gentleman with whom you
had the rencontre last night, Captain Miles, who attends in
consequence to demand satisfaction."

Mr. Bates, astonished, replied :

" I do not know the gentleman, or that I ever saw hiro
before. Mr. Croftes is the man that offended me, jointly with

MR. BATE FIGHTS "CAPTAIN" MILES 286

you two. I am about to settle the matter properly with
him. That over, rest assured neither of you two shall re-
main unnoticed."

Fitzgerald insisted Captain Miles was the man, therefore
he and his friends should no longer obtrude upon their
privacy, and taking Crof tes by the arm, the three walked out
of the room, leaving the military hero and Bate together.
Mr. Bate then said to Captain Miles :

"Upon my word, this is an extraordinary occurrence.
Certainly, sir, you were not one of the party last night."

" Oh, by Jasus, but I was," said the Captain, " and I
must have the satisfaction due to my wounded honour."

Bate, hearing this, and being a man of undaunted spirit,
replied :

" Well, sir, as you choose to volunteer I have no objec-
tion and will indulge you. Specify your wish as to when and
where."

" Oh, by Jasus," said Captain Miles, " no time like the
present. Here, just where we are."

" That, sir," said Bate, " is impossible, A small room
like this is very ill adapted for such a business, besides we
have no weapons, at least, I have none." (Miles had a
sword on.)

" Oh, by Jasus," said Miles, " I'll soon be on aqual terms,"
and he took off his sword, coat, and waistcoat, laid them
upon a chair and put himself in the attitude of boxing.

Mr. Bate, more surprized than ever, asked what he could
mean by such unaccountable conduct.

" Mane ! " replied the man, " I mane that I know
nothing about swords. Here's my wapon," (clenching his
fists) " so come on."

Mr. Bate thereupon told him he was convinced he could
have no right to wear the regimentals he had appeared in,
that he was an imposter and blackguard, and notwith-
standing he was himself a clergyman he would chastise
him for his impudence and folly. He then coolly took off
his coat and waistcoat, and locked the door, while doing
which Captain Miles disencumbered himself of his shirt*

290 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

At it they went. The Captain was a scientific pugilist, but
Mr. Bate being in no way his inferior in skill, and far
superior in bodily strength, he in less than a quarter of an
hour gave the Captain so complete a drubbing that he
gave in, admitting he was not equal to further contest.

" Very well," said Mr. Bate, " upon one condition only
I consent to let you depart. Tell me your name and situa-
tion in life, and who has employed you upon this occasion."

The man refused ; Bate knocked him down, protesting
he would beat him until he declared who he was. The
fellow, finding this to be the case, confessed that he was
Fitzgerald's servant, and being a strong, powerful man, with
some skill in pugilism, his master had made him dress in a
suit of his regimentals under a notion that he would be
able to thrash the parson.

Having thus learnt the particulars of this scandalous
transaction, Mr. Bate resolved no longer to think of treating
any of the party as gentlemen. The following morning a
narrative of the whole case was inserted in the Morning
Post, with the names of the actors in it at full length, and
subscribed at the foot by Mr. Bate. This account the
persons accused answered in another paper, asserting the
whole to be a gross misrepresentation. Whereupon Mr.
Bate republished it, verifying every word of it by a solemn
affidavit. The offenders then employed one of the news
paper editors, a man of abilities, who entered into a paper
war with Mr. Bate, endeavouring to write him down, in
which attempt he totally failed, the case being too plain ;
the voice of the public was unanimously against the Three.
The officers of Croftes's regiment held a consultation upon
the subject, at which it* was the opinion of every individual
present that after Captain Croftes degrading himself so
far as to be concerned in so disgraceful a transaction it
became impossible that he could remain in the Corps.
Nothing but his being a favorite with the Regiment pre-
vented his being brought to a Court martial, and, in all
probability, cashiered. A message was, however, sent to
him to advise his selling out, which of course he did, thus

AN OBSTINATE MAN 291

sacrificing Ms fair prospects to the folly of one evening :
nor did the evil end there, as he ultimately lost his life from
the same cause. Feeling ashamed after what had passed
of appearing amongst his former friends and acquaintances,
he left England, embarking for Bengal, where he had an
elder brother, Mr. Charles Croftes, who filled a very lucra-
tive office at Calcutta. This gentleman not only received
his unfortunate relation with the utmost affection, but
from his interest with Government procured for him an
honourable and advantageous situation in the Vizier's
Court at Lucknow, to which place Mr. Croftes repaired,
where he had resided upwards of a year greatly liked and
respected, when, unhappily, at a convivial dinner where
the whole party committed a debauch, a dispute arose
between Croftes and a Doctor Murchison ; both parties
being extremely violent, a challenge was given and accepted
for meeting with pistols. The following morning they
accordingly met each attended by a friend. So much had
they been intoxicated the preceding evening that neither
recollected a word that had passed, but merely that some
supposed offence had been given in consequence of which
the meeting was fixed on. The two seconds, who had like-
wise been of the party, were too drunk to recollect a single
circumstance or which had been the challenger.

Under such circumstances Dr. Murchison and the two
attending friends all declared their wish that nothing further
should be done, for as no known cause of quarrel existed it
would be the height of madness to proceed. They therefore
proposed shaking hands and departing. To such a measure
Croftes objected, not. from any resentment towards Dr.
Murchison, as he exceedingly lamented any thing should
have occurred to bring them thus hostilely to the field, yet,
labouring as he did already under the unfavourable opinion
of the world for his behaviour in the Vauxhall dispute, he
could not upon that account accommodate a second busi-
ness of the same nature. The three gentlemen declared
such sentiments were too refined, that no blame could in
the slightest degree attach to the character of either, and

292 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

they ought to leave the ground. Croftes persisted. Finding
him thus absurdly obstinate against accommodation, the
seconds proposed that each (Croftes and Murchison) should
stand back to back, take twelve steps, turn and fire. To
this Croftes again objected as being an unusual distance.
It was compounded by each taking nine steps, when they
turned, discharging their pistols so exactly together that
only one report was heard. Croftes missed, but Murchison's
shot was more fatally directed, Croftes falling, dead upon
the spot.

Mr. Littleton, finding himself in such disgrace as to be
nearly sent to Coventry by all respectable friends, went to
the Continent, passing several months at the German Spa
until he imagined the indignation his conduct excited had
subsided.

Fitzgerald escaped the notice of his brother officers
from the Eegiment he belonged to being upon duty in the
least frequented part of Ireland, but the original fault
involved him in a duel, which arose as follows : About
a month after the controversial publications in the news
papers respecting the Vauxhall affray, the officers of the
Guards on duty at St. James's palace, being at dinner in
their mess room, were discussing the subject over their
wine, each gentleman delivering his sentiments freely upon
what had occurred. One of the party, Captain Scawen (an
old friend and contemporary of mine at Westminster)
spoke his mind as to the military men particularly, and did
so in the full confidence of being in the company of men who
would scorn to divulge a private conversation. He was
pointedly severe in his remarks upon Fitzgerald's dressing
a menial servant in his own regimentals and ordering him
to personate one of His Majesty's officers for an infamous
and disgraceful purpose. One of the party, a Captain
Bagnell, attempted to defend the conduct of Fitzgerald,
but was scouted by the rest, though they admitted the
humanity and good nature of his endeavours. This Captain
Bagnell meeting Fitzgerald soon after, told him he had
recently been fighting Ms battles, having been present when

CAPTAIN SCAWEN'S ARREST 293

one of the party publicly declared that he (Fitzgerald)
after his scandalous treatment of Mr. Bate, was unworthy
of the society of gentlemen. Fitzgerald thereupon en-
quired who the person was that had so said. The question
made Captain Bagnell recollect how unguarded he had been
in divulging what had, he knew, been expressed in con-
fidential society. He therefore declined giving the name,
but was soon brought to a crisis by Fitzgerald's saying unless
he gave his authority he should consider him the inventor
of a slanderous tale and a calumniator. Captain Bagnell,
finding the business likely to come home to himself, pre-
ferred giving the name of Captain Scawen. Fitzgerald
immediately went to Scawen's house to demand satisfac-
tion. Scawen agreed to meet him in two hours, and directly
set out in search of Captain (now General) Hulse to ask
him to attend as second. Captain Hulse being from home,
he was proceeding to another friend's, on his way towards
whose lodgings he in the street met Lieutenant Colonel
Lake (afterwards Lord Viscount Lake), whom as a brother
officer and great friend he addressed, telling him what had
just occurred, and that he was in search of some one to
accompany him on the occasion. Colonel Lake immediately
said : "I am extremely sorry, Scawen, you have men-
tioned this matter to me, because, being upon duty, I must
take notice of it and put you under arrest." Scawen most
earnestly entreated that he would not do so, observing what
an extraordinary and eccentric man he had to deal with,
and that an obstacle so occurring might injure his (Scawen's)
character, that as no living soul could possibly know he had
spoken to him upon the business, he begged to be allowed
to proceed in it. Colonel Lake was not to be moved from
his purpose, as he conceived his duty required a rigid
adherence. He therefore insisted upon Scawen's consider-
ing himself under arrest.

Mr. Fitzgerald went to the ground appointed, where a
servant of Scawen's was waiting with a letter from hia
master to Fitzgerald, explaining the cause of his non-
attendance a and offering forthwith to go to the Continent

294 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

to give him the satisfaction he sought. This offer Fitz-
gerald affected to treat with contempt, swearing Scawen
was a poltroon and he never would thenceforward consider
him in the light of a gentleman, for he had certainly ad-
dressed the commanding officer on duty for the express
purpose of avoiding a meeting. In the mean time Colonel
Lake lost not a moment in representing the transaction to
the General commanding in London at the time, which
officer instantly ordered the arrest to be withdrawn. This
being communicated to Scawen, he wrote to inform Fitz-
gerald thereof, adding that he would meet him instantly,
or at any hour he chose to name. Fitzgerald refused even
to give an answer, repeating what he had before said of
Scawen's applying to an officer upooa duty, and that he
could only have so done in order to be put under arrest and
avoid fighting. Scawen once more explained, pledging his
honour that when he addressed Colonel Lake, he did so as
a friend, and did not observe that he was sashed. Fitz-
gerald still refused to meet Scawen ; the latter therefore
upon being informed that Fitzgerald was in the St. James's
cofiee room followed, and found him sitting with a large
party of military and other friends. Addressing him, he
said, "Mr. Fitzgerald, you have used very unbecoming
language respecting me, for which you must and sh&ll give
me satisfaction." Fitzgerald answered he would not meet
him as he had already forfeited his honour in not keeping
his appointment, and he would have nothing further to
say or do with him. Mr. Scawen replied that such language
was quite consistent with his former conduct, nevertheless
he must and should give him satisfaction. Fitzgerald
persisting in refusing, Scawen said, "I trust, Mr. Fitz-
gerald, that you will not drive me to the necessity of dis-
gracing both myself and you by a blow, which certainly will
be the case unless you act more becomingly." Fitzgerald
once more declared he never would meet him, whereupon
Scawen gave him a smart stroke upon his head with a
walking stick.
Fitzgerald on recovering from the effect of the blow,

CAPTAIN SCAWEN MEETS FITZGERALD 295

jumped from his seat to the middle of the room and
drew his sword, which was scarcely out of its scabbard
when Scawen took from his coat pocket a loaded pistol,
cocked, and presented it, assuring him if he advanced a
single step a brace of balls should be lodged in his body.
Fitzgerald stood fast, and Scawen continued, " A public
coffee rooi, Mr. Fitzgerald, is not a fit place to decide the
question between us. I lament that your obstinacy drove
me to the necessity of doing as I have. I am still ready to
attend you wherever you please." The by standers (who
were numerous) on the production of the pistol, opened to
the right a-nd left with much agility. Just at that moment
Captain Ulysses Brown of the Horse Guards, who that day
happened to be upon duty, came into the Coffee room, and
finding the unpleasant situation the parties were in, he
put them both under arrest. They thereupon separated,
Scawen going up stairs to the Guards' mess room, and
Fitzgerald retiring to obtain a plaister for his broken head.
The following day mutual friends arranged matters for the
disputants crossing the British Channel to decide the busi-
ness by duel upon the Continent of France, Scawen being
attended by Captain Nugent of the same regiment with
himself, (now Sir Nicholas Nugent), Fitzgerald by a Mr.
Fagan, of whom no one knew any thing more than that he
lived expensively and in the best society, and was said to
have arrived at the rank of Colonel of an Irish Brigade in,
the service of France, which service he had been obliged
to quit suddenly upon calling out his superior officer, who,
instead of meeting, had endeavoured to procure his arrest.
They (Scawen and Fitzgerald) resorted to a frontier town
upon the borders of Flanders, where they met in the field,
taking their stations, under the direction of their seconds,
at twelve paces. Fitzgerald fired first, missed, and while
Scawen was preparing to fire his pistol, discharged a seconc
shot and instantly dropped, thereby avoiding the risk of
his adversary's fire, upon which Captain Nugent cried out
" Zounds, sir, you have fired two pistols and fallen without
affording Captain Scawen a fair chance I " Fitzgerald then

296 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

pretended that his foot had slipped and that he fell by acci-
ident, for which he begged pardon, adding that he was per-
fectly satisfied with what Mr. Scawen had done. The seconds
thereupon retired, and after consulting together for some
time, determined that in order to wipe off the disgrace
of the blow Mr. Scawen should submit, pro forma, to have
a cane held over his shoulder without touching it, by Fitz-
gerald. This ceremony was accordingly gone through, and
the combatants returned to England in whole skins, much
to the dissatisfaction of Scawen's friends, who greatly
blamed him for submitting to the cane scene. This point of
etiquette was afterwards much discussed and various
opinions given upon it, but a majority condemned Scawen,
which was not quite fair, for having committed his honour
to his second, Captain Nugent, he was bound to abide by
his decision. Upon the return of the parties to England, an
account of the meeting appeared in one of the public daily
prints bearing the signature of Mr. Fagan, which statement
Captain Nugent not considering as correct, he published
a history of the transaction, therein particularly pointing
out the misrepresentations, but doing so in mild and gentle-
manlike language. To this Mr. Fagan replied arrogantly
and vulgarly, which produced from Captain Nugent a
retort couched in the most severe terms, wherein he clearly
established Fagan to be a base and deliberate liar, a charac-
ter the ci devant French Brigader very quietly submitted
to, and there the matter dropped.

While upon the subject of Fitzgerald it may be as well
to state the extraordinary fate that awaited him. After
being engaged in half a dozen other duels subsequent to
Scawen's, in every one of which he behaved equally ill,
especially in those with Daisy Walker and Major Baggs, he
went to reside in Ireland and there committed a thousand
enormities. He had engaged in Ms service as a kind of
led Captain or humble companion, a poor, half crazed old
man named Brecknock, who for several years had been
a patriotic writer in a daily news paper called the " Public
Ledger/' always subscribing his name to his publications.

THE MEAN LORD LITTLETON 297

Fitzgerald, aided by this unfortunate, poor Brecknock, in
a few months after his residence in Ireland, basely murdered
a very respectable gentleman because he had interfered in
opposition to some of his wild measures in the county, for
which offence they were brought to trial and upon the most
clear and incontrovertible evidence found guilty, sentenced
to death, and executed.

Mr. Littleton, another of Fitzgerald's companions in
iniquity, had all his life been a professed gamester, but un-
like that class of men in general who are profuse of cash
when they have it, he was the meanest wretch in existence
in all matters relative to money or property. Within a
twelvemonth after the Vauxhall affray, ho succeeded to a
British peerage, in which character I saw him treated with
the utmost contempt by a man very much his inferior. I
was attending an appeal in the House of Lords, when Lord
Littleton passing through the Lobby, said to the head door
keeper, " Can you lend me a cambric handkerchief ? My
rascal has neglected to put one in my pocket." The man
very abruptly answered he could not, adding whilst the
noble Viscount was still within hearing, " I'll be damned if
your dirty Lordship shall rob me of any more, you have
had two already." This unworthy peer of the realm fre-
quently called upon my father. I was surprized one morn-
ing soon after seven o'clock to see him walk in full dressed*
In a few minutes his carriage drove up, which being an-
nounced by a servant, ho instantly went to the street door
abusing his coachman in the groasost terms, and language
that would have disgraced a Billingsgate fishwoman, con-
cluding a volley of oaths by, " You scoundrel, did I not
order you to be at the Savoir viwe a quarter before seven." 1

" Yes, my Lord," said the man, " and I was not ten
minutes after tho time."

" G d damn your blood to all eternity, you rascal ;
in those ten minutes I lost two thousand guineas ! "

A new source of oxpenco now sprung up. Bowing ceased
to be the fashion : every young man that could afford it,
and many that could not, got sailing boats. Of the latter

298 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

description I certainly was, nevertheless I must have one,
commencing with an open skiff carrying only a single sprit
sail, but by degrees I rose to a half decked vessel with
boom and gafi main sail, fore sail and jib, furnished by
my old Westminster friend, Dicky Eoberts of Lambeth.
In this boat I used to cruise in Chelsea reach when blowing
hard, so much so that the people on shore often stood
watching me expecting every moment to see me upset.
Indeed, I sometimes could not help thinking that I pre-
sumed somewhat too much upon Mr. Hudson of Twicken-
ham's prediction that clearly I was not born to be drowned.
Although Chelsea reach was the part I mostly frequented,
I sometimes made excursions to Gravesend, the Nore, and
up the Medway to Chatham, &c., in which expeditions
Tom Forrest often accompanied me. If I may be allowed
to praise myself I undoubtedly manoeuvred my little vessel
with considerable skill and gained the approbation of all
the watermen. The only assistance I required was one
boy to stand by the jib and fore sheets when working
to windward.

Amongst the earliest of the gentlemen sailors were the
Honourable Mr. Dillon, Mr. Templer, now Master of the
King's Bench, Mr. Howorth, Mr. Adair, Eecorder of Lon-
don, &c. 3 &c. Having formed ourselves into a club, we
dined together once a week at the Swan tavern,, at
Chelsea, In a short time it was resolved to have an anni-
versary of the establishment, upon which day a subscrip-
tion silver cup should be sailed for, to be presented to the
proprietor of the successful boat. This match always at-
tracted a multitude of spectators. When over, we dined
at Smith's Tea Gardens, finishing the night at Vauxhall.
So fond did I become of sailing that I went in a post chaise
to Folkestone in the blustering and bleak month of March
for the express purpose of returning in a herring cutter,
during which voyage we encountered a severe gale of wind
from the Eastward with hail and snow, the sea every
instant making a complete breach over us. I could not help
thinking it rather a singular thing to go in search of such

BOODLE'S 299

weather by way of pleasure. The cold was so intense that
I was obliged to have frequent recourse to the gin bottle.
These sea parties soon made me hold the Chelsea reach
sailing in contempt.

About this period my friend, William Cane, commenced
sailor, having caused a handsome cutter of twenty tons
to be built for him by Cleverly, the Quaker, of Gravesend.
With him (Cane) I often went, as I also did with Colonel
Charles Cooper of the Guards (a natural son of Lord
Holland's) who had a famous vessel which he called the
Porpoise. He lived in an excellent house about a mile
distant from Tilbury Fort, having a charming woman for
his wife. In this family I spent many happy days, and here
I often met Mr. James Bigger of the East India house, who
was as much attached to sailing as any of us. In the same
neighbourhood resided General Desaguliers and Alderman
Kirkman, who had both large vessels, but accommodation
and ease having been made the first object, they could not
sail with Cane or Cooper's cutters, the latter from being
fuller in the bows always beat Cane in a high sea, of which
he became so jealous that he ordered Cleverly to build
another of such construction as to outsail the Porpoise, and
the Quaker correctly executed the order, for we never fell
in with a vessel at all near the same size that we did not
beat hollow. Of this cutter I shall have occasion to say
more hereafter.

Robert Mitford, whom I have already mentioned as one
of the party that often met at the Shakespear and other
houses in Covent Garden, was a near relation of the Mr,
Boodle who from having squandered away a handsome
fortune was reduced to the necessity of accepting the
management of one of the fashionable gaming houses in
Pall Mall which bore his name, being called " Boodle's/*
and to this Mr. Boodle I was introduced by Mitford, after
which introduction I spent many a jovial night at his house.
At the time my acquaintance with him commenced he was
nearly sixty years of age, and, notwithstanding he had lived
very freely, had still a good constitution, and was of a re-

800 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

markably cheerful disposition. He was never happy unless
he had a parcel of young people about him. I made one of
upwards of a dozen who usually supped twice a week in
Pall Mall, where he gave us as much champagne, burgundy
and claret as we chose, the table being covered with every
rarity in the way of eating. Nothing delighted him more
than sitting out the boys, as he called us. Indeed, his
head was so strong that he generally succeeded in so doing,
and when he perceived his young guests began to flag, or
become drowsy, he would get up, lock the door of the room,
and putting the key in his pocket, strike up the song of
" 5 Tis not yet day " &c. His companionable qualities were
extraordinary, and I certainly have passed more happy and
jovial nights in his back parlour in Pall Mall than in any
other house in London.

About this period a circumstance occurred that engrossed
the public attention. It was the case of General Gansel.
Being deeply involved in debt, he became apprehensive of
losing his personal liberty, and, to avoid arrest, for several
weeks shut himself up at his lodgings in Craven Street,
where there likewise were other lodgers. A posse of bailiSs
with writs against him, tired of their fruitless watching for
him in the street, one day laid siege to his apartment, the
door of which he had secured in the best possible manner.
Upon their attempting to force an entrance, he called out
to say that the first man who presumed to burst open his
door he certainly would shoot. The bailiffs nevertheless
persisted in their violence. Whereupon the General dis-
charged one of his pistols through the door, taking care,
however, to point it so high as to ensure the balls passing
over the heads of the assailants. His object of alarming
them did not succeed ; they broke down the door and rushed
in, the General exerting in vain all his strength to prevent
them. In his struggle he fell, and a second pistol which he
held in his hand at the time went off, but without injury to
any one. The men then violently laid hands upon him,
dragged him head long down stairs, placed him in a hackney
coach, and thus conveyed him to the prison of Newgate,

THE BAILIFFS AT FAULT 301

where he was confined on the felon side, and a prosecution
commenced against him under the Coventry act. Upon
his trial it was established by evidence that the bailiffs
had fire arms, that they broke open the door and assaulted
the General as above stated. The Judge, in addressing
the Jury, observed that a bailiff employed to execute civil
process had no right to use fire or any other offensive arms,
neither could he justify the breaking into a house, that a
person residing in a lodging house had no other security than
the door of his apartment, which could not therefore legally
be forced. An instant acquittal of the General not only
followed, but the Court ordered a copy of the Indictment
to be given, which enabled him to proceed against the
Sheriffs for damages for the assault and false imprisonment
committed by their officers. This decision was considered
a great strengthener of the liberty of the subject as prior
thereto most lawyers were of opinion that if a Sheriff's
bailiff once got within the street or public door of a house
he would be justified in entering, even forcibly, any other
apartment for the purpose of executing writs.

CHAPTER XXIV

MORE OF LIFE IN LONDON

AT the meeting of the Irish parliament this year (1773)
JLA. an absentee tax was proposed, that is, to make all
persons who resided out of Ireland but drew their fortune
from thence, pay four or five per cent upon the amount so
drawn. This measure, although a popular one in Ireland,
was strenuously opposed by many men of rank and conse-
quence in England, amongst whom the principal leaders were
the Duke of Devonshire, Marquis of Buckingham, Earl of
Bessborough, Earl of Upper Ossory, Lord Milton, and
several opulent commoners. These noblemen and gentle-
men, who all received large incomes from Irish estates,
united their abilities and influence in opposition to the
passing of the act. They met at the Marquis of Rocking-
ham's in Grosvenor Square to consult upon, and adopt,
those measures most likely to be effective. Through the
recommendation of Mr. Edmund Burke, I was employed at
Lord Rockingham's upon this occasion upwards of a month,
attending daily from nine in the morning until ten, eleven,
or twelve at night. My chief business was copying circular
letters, and assisting in making them up, sealing, and
directing. I sat at the same table with the Marquis, who
I found to be a most affable and pleasing mannered man.
During such my attendance in Grosvenor Square I had
thrice the honour of dining with the before named noblemen
and others who constituted the Committee. The other
days my dinner was served for me in a small chamber
adjoining the drawing room in which I wrote. One of the
days that I dined with the Marquis, I was much pleased with
some delicious ale which his Lordship said had been brewed
at Wentworth (his seat in Yorkshire) upwards of twenty
five years before. It was so soft and grateful to my palate

302

THE HORNECKS 308

that I was induced to take a second glass, upon which Mr.
William Burke, who sat next to me, cautioned me to mind
what I was about, the liquor I was so approving of being
infinitely stronger than brandy and more likely to intoxi-
cate. Undoubtedly after drinking the second glass I felt
my head rather light and giddy.

The opposition thus shewn in England to the Absentee
tax proved effectual; the question upon being brought
before the House of Commons of Ireland by the Minister
there, was lost by a considerable majority.

In the Autumn young Horneck of the Guards married
Miss Keppel, a natural daughter of Lord Albemarle's
then one of the most beautiful creatures I ever beheld and
not more than fourteen years of age. A more lovely pair
never were united, but their juvenile appearance made
them look much more like brother and sister than husband
and wife. The match was one of love, and for some time
they were as happy as the accomplishment of their utmost
wish could render them. In outward appearance she was
innocence personified, but in mind vicious beyond imagina-
tion and artful in the highest degree. In a few months after
their marriage Horneck was ordered upon the Tower duty,
and as he was not over burthened with cash, his friends
advised him to part with his house, and put Mrs. Hornock
into small, ready furnished lodgings, which prudent measure
he resolved to adopt. Whilst looking for suitable apartments
he met Captain John Scawen, who belonged to the same
regiment with himself, who upon hearing what he was
in search of, kindly offered the loan of his house, at the top
of Savile Kow, which was in complete order and ready to
receive Mrs. Horneck in an hour. He said it would be no
inconvenience to him as he was going upon the recruiting
service. The friendly offer was therefore accepted, and
Mrs. Horneck, with her servants, were immediately estab-
lished in it. This house became the scene of various de-
pravities, at the head of which stood the two prominent
ones of drunkenness and prostitution.

After Horneck had been absent from his Cam sposa, he

304 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

determined agreeably to surprize her with an unexpected
visit, for which purpose he prevailed on his commanding
officer not to notice his sleeping one night out of the Tower,
and getting into a hackney coach at dusk drove to the West
end of the town. Quitting the carriage in Piccadilly, he
walked to Savile row, where meaning suddenly to take his
lovely girl to his arms, he knocked a single knock, and upon
a maid servant opening the door he whispered her not to
announce his arrival and was proceeding up stairs, when the
maid greatly agitated, entreated him not to go up until she
had prepared her mistress ; he however paid no attention
to the woman's desire, went up, and entering the drawing
room was struck dumb with horror and astonishment at
seeing his lovely young bride sitting at a small round table
with bottles and glasses upon it, she being beastly and
stupidly drunk, her hair dishevelled and bosom quite bare.
Opposite to her sat her own butler, nearly in the same state
of intoxication, but upon Horneck's going into the room,
he contrived to rise from his chair and stagger away until
forced back by his master.

Horneck then looked into the sleeping apartment, and
perceived the bed in a very rumpled state. Einging the
bell, he ordered all the servants up, when assembled asking
them the meaning of the disgusting scene he beheld. The
footman answered that the conduct of his mistress had
been so publicly abandoned and shameless, they took it
for granted it must have reached his ears ; that since his
absence she had scarcely ever been sober for six hours
together ; that the butler usually dined with her and both
drank to the same degree of excess he then saw. Upon
further investigation he learned that she had several times
got intoxicated previous to his going to the Tower, but had
then shut herself into her own room, pretending indis-
position. He had also the melancholy conviction of her
having before she had been a week his wife prostituted her
person to many of his immediate and particular friends,
amongst whom was their host, Scawen ! During this un-
pleasant enquiry she lay with her head upon the table utterly

AN IMP OF HELL 305

insensible to every thing that passed. Horneck
addressed a letter to the Dowager Lady Albemarle, by ^
Mrs. Horneek had been brought up, and with whom she was
a most extraordinary favorite, the old lady considering
her almost as a divinity. In his letter he stated the horrible
and disgraceful facts he had just discovered, which would
necessarily drive him to seek a divorce. He then returned
to the Tower, with far different feelings to those he had a
few hours before left it.

The following morning, when Mrs. Horneck awoke, she
had no recollection whatever of any thing that had oc-
curred, but upon being made acquainted with every
particular by her Femme de chambre, she with the utmost
composure dressed herself, ordered her chair and away
she went to Lady Albemarle's house in Spring Gardens,
where running up to her Ladyship, who had not yet
risen, she in a passion of tears, groans and bitter lamen-
tations bewailed her untoward, her cruel fate, which had
ordained that her dear, dear but fickle Charles's love should
thus early be estranged, and what was still moro distressing
and ungenerous that he should so far forget every principle
of honour and justice as to accuse her of wronging his bed
in order to cover his own scandalous infidelity, she having
just ascertained that he kept no less than three concubines
in different parts of the town. In short, so well did this
little imp of hell act her part, and such was the unbounded
influence she possessed over the mind of her protectress
that every word she uttered was taken as true, and the
abandoned girl was pronounced a deeply injured and for-
saken wife.

Lady Albemarle forthwith took Mrs. Horneck into her
house, declaring she would countenance and protect her,
not only against the unjust and infamous attack of tho
base husband, but against the unfeeling prejudices of the
whole world. For several days after the artful hussey
got thus under the protection of Lady Albemarle she kept
her room, pretending to be extremely ill from the agitation,
her spirits had undergone. Her protectress, all anxiety for

306 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

her angel's health, caused the physicians to visit her regu-
larly every day. In the mean time Horneck had applied
to my father to take all the requisite s^eps for procuring
a divorce and Bill to enable him to marry again, from which
proceedings I became acquainted with every particular of the
case.

Lady Albemarle took Mrs. Horneck to all the parties
where she herself was invited, always speaking of her as a
most ill used, innocent, dear girl, a suffering angel ! Her
Ladyship being engaged one evening at a great entertain-
ment at the Duchess of Gloucester's, she desired her
protege to make herself as smart as possible, as all the
fashionable world would be present. In the morning of the
day the party was to be Mrs. Horneck, who was an admirable
actress, pretended that a severe head ache had attacked
her, whereupon Lady Albemarle, all anxiety, protested she
would send an excuse to the Duchess and stay at home
to nurse her. This Mrs. Horneck opposed, saying she was
sure she should be better after dinner. She however
scarce eat any and appeared very languid. Again her
Ladyship determined to send an apology which was again
strongly opposed by Mrs. Horneck and after a kind con-
test, at least on Lady Albemarle's part, she so far succeeded
as to prevail on her Ladyship to go to the party for half
an hour, her Ladyship's own woman being expressly
charged not to leave Mrs. Horneck for a moment during
her absence. Scarce was Lady Albemarle outside the street
door, when Mrs. Horneck complained violently of the pain
in her head, saying sleep would relieve her and she would
therefore lay down. She did so immediately, dismissing
the attendant and requesting she might not be disturbed
until she rang the bell.

In little more than an hour Lady Albemarle returned,
when anxiously enquiring about her darling child and
being told what had passed, she was very angry with
her servant for having left her. "However," said she,
"come up and let me see the dear angel." Ascending
to the chamber, she was greatly terrified at finding the

THE ELOPEMENT 307

door fastened. She tapped several times without effect,
when the abigail, seeing her Ladyship's distress applied
her eye to the keyhole, instantly crying out that Mrs,
Horneck was lying in the middle of the floor. " Oh, my
God/' exclaimed her Ladyship, " then what I so much
dreaded has actually occurred. The dear iE treated child
has destroyed herself." Men servants being summoned, the
door was broken open but no " dear ill treated child "
was to be found. The clothes she had worn that day lay
heaped together on the carpet, with a lighted candle placed
near them. The bird had flown ; a hue and cry was in-
stantly raised, when one of the men servants said he had
that evening seen Mrs. Horneck going down the back
stairs, as he was accidentally passing the foot of them, and
was somewhat surprized at observing her dressed in a riding
habit ; that she wished him a good night and he passed on
to the servants 5 hall. It was next discovered that she had
gone through a private gate that led into the park, and left
the key in the lock. Lady Albemarle now concluded she
was gone to throw herself into the canal and was loudly
calling for people to have it dragged, when her own woman
delivered a letter which she had just found upon Mrs.
Horneck's toilet. It was addressed to Lady Albemarle.
After expressing her gratitude for the protection and kind-
nesses conferred on her, she proceeded to say that she was
so wretched and miserable from the stigma thrown upon
her character, in consequence of which the women every
where looked coldly and contemptuously at her that she
could no longer endure it and had therefore put herself
under the protection of Captain Scawen, with whom she
was going to the Continent and who would she was con-
vinced behave towards her like a man of honour. Poor
Lady Albemarle was sadly mortified at such an indisputable
proof of her young favorite's profligacy and duplicity.

Mrs. Horneck continued to reside with Captain Scawen
at Paris and elsewhere in France in open adultery, until
Horneck went through the usual course of proceedings to
free himself from her, which having effected, Captain Scawen

SOS MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

was blockhead enough immediately to marry her, and she
behaved as faithlessly to him as she had to her first hus-
band, involving him in such a load of debt as ultimately
proved his ruin.

My father at this time belonged to a society of Hterary
men who met at the St. James's Coffee house. 1 At one of
the dinners much wit had passed at the expense of Doctor
Goldsmith, upon whom, as if dead, some of the gentlemen
present wrote epitaphs which excited great mirth. After
the laugh had in some measure subsided the Doctor was
called upon to retaliate, in consequence of which he, in
two days after, 2 produced the following lines which he
called "Retaliation." 3

1 This famous coffee-house, frequented by Swift and Addison, no longer
exists. ED.

2 The writer expresses what was apparently a belief at the time.
A statement is prefixed to the first edition that the Poem was produced
at the " next meeting " of the club ; but Mr. Austin Dobson, in his notes
to the Poem (Oxford Edition of Goldsmith's complete works, published
by Henry Frowde) says this statement is manifestly incorrect, and that
the Poem was composed and circulated in detached fragments. ED.

3 The writer sets out the Poem at length, but as it is to be found
in all editions of Goldsmith's complete works, it is unnecessary to give
it here. The references made in the Poem to the writer's father may,
however, be quoted :

" To make out the dinner, full certain I am,
That Ridge is anchovy and Reynolds is lamb,
That Hiekey's a capon, and by the same rule,
Magnanimous Goldsmith a gooseberry fool."

" Here Hickey reclines, a most blunt, pleasant creature,
And slander itself must allow him good nature :
He cherish' d his friend, and he relished a bumper ;
Yet one fault he had, and that one was a thumper.
Perhaps you may ask if the man was a miser ?
I answer, no, no, for he always was wiser :
Too courteous, perhaps, or obligingly flat ?
His very worst foe can't accuse him of that :
Perhaps he confided in men as they go,
And so was too foolishly honest ? Ah no I
Then what was his failing ? Come, tell it, and burn ye !
He was, could he help it 2 a special attorney."

It is particularly interesting in connection with the present work to
have Mr. Austin JDobson's notes on these passages as given in the
Oxford Edition of Goldsmith's works, before alluded to. The editor,
therefore, ventures to repeat them. Mr. Dobson aaye: "He (Hickey)

THE END OF THE MOHAWKS 309

Early in the year 1774 the outrages committed by the
Mohawk quartette became so gross and frequent as at last
to attract the notice and interference of the Police Magis-
trates, who, in consequence, set some of their myrmidons
upon the watch. Those underling ministers of justice soon
discovered the objects of their attention engaged in a
violent riot in the play house of Covent Garden, where they
had insulted and beat several person^. Whereupon they
seized and carried them bodily off to the Watch house,
positively refusing bail. In the morning they were taken
before the sitting Justice in Bow Street, where the different
parties aggrieved appeared against them, especially a
gentleman who swore to Hamilton's having, without any
provocation, spit in his face. Several were bound by
recognizances to prosecute, and the Mohawks were all held
to bail in very large sums.

Hamilton, finding himself thus seriously attacked, deemed
it prudent to decamp, thereby forfeiting his recognizances.
He, however, had honour enough previous to his departure
to indemnify the different tradesmen who upon his credit
had become bail for himself and colleagues. He took up
his residence in Paris.

Mr. Hayter, Senior, ashamed of the behaviour of his son,
whom he had made many ineffectual attempts to reclaim,
upon the last public complaint did stand forward to bail
him, which having done, he instantly sent him off to

was a jovial, good-natured, over-blunt Irishman, the legal advisor
of both Burke and Reynolds. Indeed, it was Hickey who drew
the conveyance of the land on which Reynolds' house, next
to the * Star and Garter ' at Richmond (Wick House), was built by
Chambers, the architect. Hickey died in 1794. Reynolds painted
his portrait for Burke, and it was exhibited at the Boyal Academy
in 1772. ... Sir Joshua also painted Miss Hickey in 1769-1773. Her
father, not much to Goldsmith's satisfaction, was one of the Paris
party in 1770.

" In Cumberland's Poetical Epistle to Dr. Goldsmith or Supplement to
his Retaliation (Gentleman's Magazine, August, 1778, p. 384), Hickoy'j*
genial qualities are thus referred to :

" { Give Ridge and Hickey, generous souls !
Of whisky punch convivial bowls.* "

310 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

Holland with a view to put an end to the vile set he had
associated himself with.

Osborne, upon losing the advantage of Hamilton's purse f
found himself alike bankrupt in character and fortune.
He therefore embarked for his native shores of America,
persuading Frederick to accompany him and try his for-
tune on the other side of the Atlantic. The latter there
entered as a volunteer in one of the King's regiments, in
which situation he behaved so well as shortly to obtain a
Commission, within a twelvemonth from which time he was
killed in one of the hard fought battles of which so many
occurred in that country.

Thus ended the career of four young men who for a
period of three years continued in one uninterrupted course
of folly, intemperance and riot, to the utter disgrace of
themselves, and of the police of the capital, which was
either so relaxed, or so corrupt as to permit their course of
iniquity to proceed uninterrupted.

By this time I had with my usual want of resolution once
more yielded to temptation, and fallen into all my old bad
habits. Dear, lovely woman, I never could resist. A
famous bailiff named Willis generally contrived to get the
writs that were issued against those unfortunate women
directed to him. He kept a lock up house in Great Earle
Street, Soho, and although by profession a tailor, he had
fitted it up most elegantly as a tavern. Here we assembled,
feeding upon every luxury procurable by money, and drink-
ing the most expensive French wines.

An inevitable consequence of such a course of life to me
was that I got rid of much more cash than my allowances
afforded, and therefore incurred considerable debts. While
my sword, watch, or any valuable article of dress remained
in my possession transferring the same to a Pawn broker
secured me three or four guineas upon emergency. When
all those sources were exhausted I had recourse to my
former disgraceful practice, expending upon my own extra-
vagancies and follies large sums of money intended to pay
Counsel's fees, and other matters of business,

AN INDULGENT BAILIFF

Willis never scrupled letting any woman whom he had
arrested leave his house at pleasure to go to the theatres,
opera, or any other public place they chose, until the writ
was returnable, and in no one instance did he ever suffer
thereby. If the person arrested failed in her exertions to
raise the amount due amongst her own immediate friends,
we who frequented the house made up the deficiency by
subscription.

The dissipated kind of life I had again fallen into could
not escape the penetrating eyes of my father. He over and
over again cautioned me, bidding me recollect all that had
already occurred, and take care how I acted, but all in
vain, and another important crisis of my life was now fast
approaching.

In the month of August Mr. Farrer one evening surprized
us all at the " Shakespeare " very much by telling us he
should depart for the East Indies in a few days, through
having been informed from authority that a new Court was
upon the eve of being established in Bengal under the direc-
tion of four Judges to be nominated by His Majesty, in which
Court he understood there would be a great opening for tho
exercise of talents and industry at the Bar. He was deter-
mined to go out and try what he could do for himself as an
Advocate. He accordingly took his leave of us that night*

Shortly afterwards an Act of Parliament was brought in
and passed, whereby Warren Hastings, Esqr. then Governor
of Bengal, was appointed Governor General of India,
General Sir John Clavering, Colonel Monson, and Philip
Francis, Esqr. members of the Supreme Council, those four
gentlemen constituting the Government. By the same Act
the Supreme Court of Judicature was formed, Sir Elijah
Impey being appointed Chief Justice, Stephen Csesar
Lemaitre, Robert Chambers, and John Hyde, Esquires,
puisne Justices, the above named Supreme Council and
Judges departing foi India in the month of September
(1774) on board of two old Indiamen, which were engaged
and fitted up for the express purpose of conveying them to
Asia. Mr. Farrer reached Calcutta some time before them,

312 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

announcing himself as the avant courier of His Majesty's
new Court, in which he was to be the leading Advocate. The
consequence of this well concerted plan was that he forth-
with received retainers to an incredible amount, every
native of rank or wealth being anxious to secure to himself
the advantage of the new lawyer's surprising abilities !
I myself heard Parrer declare that previous to the arrival
of the Judges he had received in hard cash upwards of
five thousand pounds as retainers alone ! In September
1775 the Supreme Council and Judges reached Calcutta,
and on the 22nd of October the Court opened, Mr. Farrer
being then admitted an Advocate thereof, and as he was
the only regular bred English lawyer belonging to it, and
possessed more than ordinary talents, his most sanguine
hopes were soon realized by his acquiring a noble fortune.

Just at this period my respected friend, Mr. Edmund
Burke was instrumental in saving the life of a person under
extraordinary circumstances. A Captain Jones, of the
Eoyal Artillery, was taken up on a charge of having
committed an offence with a boy, the apprentice and
nephew of a man who kept a small toy shop in Parliament
Street, Westminster. It so happened that the Sessions at
the Old Bailey were just drawing to a conclusion at the time
of the accusation against Captain Jones, who was appre-
hended late in the evening of a Tuesday, and before twelve
o'clock the next day was laying under sentence of death in
Newgate. The only strong evidence on the trial was that
of the boy himself, who swore positively to the fact. The
prisoner made no other defence than generally denying the
charge, which he asserted to be entirely false and unfounded.
The Jury however gave credit to the boy's testimony ; found
the prisoner guilty and he was sentenced to death.

Captain Jones having been a man generally known and
lespected, also much admired as one of the finest skaters in
Europe, the public were at once astonished at the charge, the
trial, and condemnation ; nothing else was talked of. His
universal character was that of being a man of the nicest
honour, possessing uncommon sweetness of temper, with

THE CASE OF CAPTAIN JONES 813

habits of conviviality and sociability. He was likewise con-
sidered as peculiarly fond of the fair sex. He was a prodigious
favourite in his Corps, every officer of which from the Com-
mandant General Desaguliers down to the youngest subal-
tern declared it to be their firm opinions and belief that he
was incapable of committing a disgraceful crime and that
had they received the least previous intimation of such an
accusation, they would, one and all, have voluntarily
appeared at the Old Bailey to avow such were their senti-
ments and to give him that character his merits so justly
entitled him to. He had the further merit of providing for an
aged mother and for a sister, both of whom he furnished
with all the common comforts of life.

Soon after Captain Jones's conviction the Sessions paper
was, as usual, published. A gentleman who wan perusing it in
a public coffee room expressed his astonishment and disgust
thereat to another person who sat near, but was wholly un-
known to him, observing, " This trial, which 1 now hold in my
hand, exhibits an instance of greater depravity, of more gronB
and deliberate perjury than I ever met with before, for the
uncle here in the most unqualified terms swears that he
never in his life know the boy (his nephew) to tell a lie, nay,
on the contrary, such was MB love of truth that he had many
times voluntarily acknowledged faults, although convinced
personal punishment must be the consequence. Now this
is most abominable and not to bo endured. I am intimate
in the family, have been acquainted with the boy from his
early infancy, and know him to be, as he has always been,
the most notorious and infamous liar. I was once present
at a chastisement inflicted by this very uncle upon his
nephew for a falsehood not only told but persisted in with
the most determined and persevering obstinacy, which
chastisement appeared to me so severe that I interfered,
not from pity for the vile youth, but actually to prevent his
being murdered ! " The stranger upon hearing thin im-
mediately said, " Sir, it becomes your bounden duty, not
only for the sake of public justice, but for the preservation
of the life of an injured and probably innocent gentleman,

814 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

without losing a moment to publish the fact you have just
stated." The first speaker acceded to the propriety of such
a measure, and accordingly went before a Magistrate the
following day and swore to the same effect, his account
being supported and verified by a maid servant who lived
in the family and was present when the punishment was
inflicted by the uncle.

These two depositions made their appearance in one
of the daily news papers, which paper happening to be
read by His Grace the Duke of Richmond, struck him
very forcibly. He sent for the trial, with the whole of
which he was much dissatisfied, and instantly com-
mitted his sentiments thereon to paper, which he dis-
patched to the Earl of Suffolk, then one of His Majesty's
principal Secretarys of State. This produced a respite,
pending which the Judge who presided at the trial was
applied to officially and asked whether he entertained any
doubts as to the propriety of the verdict. The Judge
replied that he had none and thought the evidence fully
justified the finding of the Jury, conviction, and sentence.
Such being the case, the Sheriff was directed to inform
Jones he would undoubtedly suffer at the expiration of the
respite, the same communication being made to the Duke
of Richmond. His Grace's opinion respecting the trial
continuing unaltered, he mentioned the circumstances to
Mr. Burke at the door of my father's house, at which he
had just knocked, being to dine with us. Mr. Burke saw
the matter exactly in the same light as the Duke did, and
at His Grace's earnest request, he promised to address Lord
Suffolk upon the subject. On entering the drawing room he
called for pen, ink, and paper, when sitting down at my
sister's dressing table, he wrote the following letter :
" My Lord,

n T "^ afiair k which P ublic ^stice is concerned
will, 1 hope, excuse the liberty I take in applying to
youx Lordship. I understand that one Jones, now under
sentence of death in Newgate for a detestable offence,
is to be executed of course on Tuesday next unless he

EDMUND BURKE SAVES A LIFE 315

receives his pardon, or reasons are laid before the King
which may make a further reprieve advisable. In
wishing that the execution of this unhappy man may be
stayed I do not mean to ask any favour towards him.
It is a favour to those who advise His Majesty that they
may give themselves time to consider well the circum-
stances of a most extraordinary case. I have nothing to
say in mitigation of an offence which admits no pallia-
tives, nor in favour of a man whom I do not know. If
the crime be well and juridically ascertained the criminal
deserves his punishment, but the part upon which I take
the liberty of recommending a respite is the insufficiency
of the evidence ; the evidence of a boy of thirteen years
of age who does not know how to estimate life, to value
character, or fear punishment, here, or hereafter, single
and unsupported by other positive testimony, by charac-
ter and general opinion, or by circumstances strong
and violent, is not in my poor opinion, sufficient to
justify a sentence of death. If the rigour of the law
admits of such evidence, it is a rigour for the correction
of which the prerogative of mercy is lodged very properly
and necessarily in the Crown. The principle of this case
is the most material part of it. If human society be
corrupted by the vice in question, it is overturned by the
admission of such testimony. I say nothing of the man's
total denial of the fact, nor of the subsequent affidavits
which weaken this evidence, such as it is, because when I
write to a man of your Lordship's knowledge and liber-
ality I would not divert my own argument, or your
attention, from the great material and leading principle
of the case. Neither do I comment upon the hitherto
profligate and inhuman language of the news papers,
because I am persuaded that your Lordship will not be
affected by them, but just to remind you that such
papers as those, however they may endeavour to mis-
lead, do by no means direct the public judgment, but
that every honest man in the Kingdom, whatever his
sentiments in politics may be, will have but one opinion
with His Majesty's servants in preserving inviolable his
sacred and amiable prerogative of mercy whenever it is
exerted in cases where the laws, whether by an over

316 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

rigour, or an improper application to the case, come to
transgress their genuine purpose, or lead to a dangerous
tendency ; and these I know to be the sentiments of many
great and good men, I do seriously apprehend that the
reputation of the National Justice is concerned in this
business, and that His Majesty's Government will not be
strengthened or honoured by the example. I neither
know this unhappy man, his family, his connections, or
any friend that he has in the world : I have not had an
application from one of them : I use this liberty with
your Lordship upon a public principle, from my very
great regard to the administration of Justice and mercy
in this Kingdom. I do not know how further to apologize,

" But am, My Lord,
" Your Lordship's most obedient humble servant,

" EDMUND BTJRKE."

In consequence of this letter Captain Jones was respited
a second time, and subsequently received the royal pardon
upon condition of transporting himself for life out of His
Majesty's dominions.

CHAPTER XXV

DRIVEN FIIOM HOME

IN September (1774) Parliament was suddenly and un-
expectedly dissolved, which, created the usual confusion,
and many violent contests between the Court and patriotic
parties. In the City of London, the Ministerial Candidates
had no chance, nor could an opponent be found to stand for
Middlesex, where Wilkes and Serjeant Glynn were unani-
mously elected, just after which Wilkes had the further
triumph of being chosen Lord Mayor. The three preceding
years the Liverymen had returned his name by an immense
majority, notwithstanding which the Court of Aldermen
each time rejected him, and named the Alderman returned
with him, but finding the Livery determined to persist, and
that they (the Court of Aldermen) were rendering them-
selves odious and unpopular, they ceased to oppose, and the
favorite was appointed to the City Chair, and on the 9th
of November entered upon the duties of his new office.

There was a violent struggle for Westminster, where Earl
Percy, son to the Duke of Northumberland, and Lord
Thomas Pelham Clinton, son to the Duke of Newcastle,
supported by Government, were opposed to Lord Mount-
morres, a famous Irish patriot, and Lord Mahon, son to Earl
Stanhope, of the popular party. The Ministerial Candidates
however succeeded by a large majority. At this General
Election Mr. Burke had the high compliment paid him of
being invited to represent the opulent and ancient City of
Bristol, an offer he accepted. Whereupon a Committee
consisting of the principal gentlemen of the place was
immediately appointed to manage the election, and so
determined were they that Mr. Burke should not be put to
the smallest expense that they not only paid his travelling
charges to Bristol, but even the turnpikes on the road,

317

S18 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

Mr. Burke carried the election by a great number of
votes, Mr. Brickdale, one of the old members, being thrown
out.

Towards the end of the year the lamentable contest with
America commenced, which, as every body knows, con-
cluded by their total estrangement from the mother country,
and to descend from great things to small, just at this time
one of my boon companions, Gilly Mahon, an Irish adven-
turer who lived by his wits, went off with Miss Russell, a
smart dashing girl of good family, she being related to the
Earls of Shelburne and Kerry. The personal accomplish-
ments of the lady were not what caught Gilly, but the more
substantial merit of two thousand guineas, which she had
at her own disposal, besides a prospect of future pecuniary
advantages. She had five brothers, all fashionable young
men of high ton, every one of whom vowed vengeance
against Gilly for seducing a sister of theirs, nor would
Mahon, who was as bold as a lion, have hesitated to meet
them all in turn had he been called upon, which he was not,
the prudent relatives upon second thoughts resolving to
leave the inconsiderate girl to her fate.

Gilly and his fair friend went over to Paris, where
they resided several months, until growing tired of each
other they had to part, he assuring her he would fulfil
his promise by marrying her whenever she required him
to go through that ceremony. With these liberal senti-
ments of each other they both returned to London, Gilly
resuming his former avocation, the lady embarking in
splendid prostitution, in which capacity she soon reached
the top of the ton, and was distinguished by the title
of " the bird of paradise." There was a trifling circum-
stance that the hero had not thought necessary to impart
to his inamorata, which was neither more nor less than
that when he went off with her he had a wife living,
of which fact Miss Russell was soon apprized by one of
her brothers, but it made not the slightest alteration in
her attachment. About four months after their return from
Paris the good natured spouse removed herself out of the

SOME FRAIL WOMEN 819

way, by dying, whereupon the, Bird sent to Mahon to say
that as he could now with propriety take a wife she should
like to have a right to bear his name, and sometimes perhaps
make him liable for a milliner's bill. He making no objection,
they were without further loss of time joined together in holy
wedlock. They however never afterwards lived together,
though apparently very civil to each other when they met
in public, as they frequently did. She certainly was a lively
little creature and an admirable companion, with whom I
have spent very many cheerful days. She bore, by Mahon,
one child, a fine boy, of whom I shall say more by and by.

The winter was productive of much intriguing amongst
the theatrical tribe. The celebrated actor, Mr, Smith,
having attached himself to the beautiful Mrs. Hartley, the
heroine of the Vauxhall riot, Dodd, the comedian, to Mrs.
Bulkeley, thentofore Miss Wilford, a dancer and tolerable
actress, and Baker, the singer, (a married man) to Mrs.
Mattocks, all the three ladies having husbands living in
London, who very quietly consented to wear horns, and
when the respective gallants were tired, good naturedly
took back the inconstant wives.

Mr. Bradshaw, who filled a lucrative situation in the
Treasury, which he had obtained from being a favorite of
Lord North's, in the month of December put a period to his
life, by blowing out his brains with a pistol ; unbounded
extravagance having involved him deeply in debt, was
supposed to have occasioned the rash act. Being of a gay
and social disposition, his company was much sought. He
was brother to the supercargo at China, who I was sorry
suffered to the amount of five thousand pounds by his
death, this brother having recently remitted so much to
him to lay out in the public funds, instead of doing which
he applied it to his own use.

This winter Robert Mitford's father died, leaving to his
eldest son, who had acquired a large fortune as Commander
of the Northumberland East Indiaman and retired from
the service, thirty thousand pounds, and a like sum to
Robert, with the succession to the business, which was said

320 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

to yield a clear profit of upwards of three thousand pounds
a year. 'The young coxcomb condescended to accept the
shop, but being ashamed that his fine acquaintances should
know that he was in trade, he rarely made his appear-
ance in Cornhill, took a splendid house at the West end
of the town, kept a dashing equipage, became a member
of the Cocoa tree and other clubs, gambled, lost, and in
less than three years was completely ruined, and a com-
mission of bankruptcy being issued against the Woollen
Draper's house, he was reduced to the necessity of going
out an adventurer to India. He died broken hearted at
Madras soon after his arrival there.

The repeated examples that occurred before my face of
the sad consequences attending unjustifiable expence and
dissipation had, unfortunately, no more than a momentary
effect upon me. I transgressed, repented, and transgressed
again, thus continuing an endless course of folly. During
the last two years I had sometimes been extremely ill.
Mr. Hayes, the surgeon who attended me, frequently
remonstrated observing that death and destruction must
inevitably be the consequence of the life I led, and never
shall I forget a speech he once made me. I had, as was
often the case, thrown myself into a salivation, when my
head suddenly swelled to an enormous size, my tongue and
mouth became so inflamed I could take no other nourish-
ment than liquids, in which forlorn state he found me, when
instead of the pity and condolence I expected, he, in a great
rage, swore he had a strong inclination to leave me to die a.s
I richly deserved. His passion having vented itself, he with
more temper said, "Indeed, indeed, William, you are
playing the devil with a very fine constitution, for which
folly, should you ever reach the age of forty, which I think
impossible, your unfortunate body and bones will pay most
severely." He proved a false prophet as to the length of my
life, but I have often when agonised with spasm and pain,
thought of his prediction. This Mr. Hayes married a sister
of Mr. Basil's of Buckinghamshire, by which connection he
succeeded to all his valuable property in England and

A PROLONGED SUIT 321

Ireland, and became Sir Samuel Hayes, a Baronet, He
died a few years since.

Early in the year 1775 a very extraordinary cause that
had been eleven years depending in the Court of Exchequer,
my father being the Complainant's Solicitor, came to a linal
hearing. The parties were Messrs. John and William
Chaigneau, brothers, and Army agents, residing in Dublin,
and General Strode, Colonel of the 62nd regiment of Foot,
These three gentlemen had long lived upon habits of tho
greatest intimacy and friendship with each other, the
Colonel appointing Chaigneau his agent the hour ho obtained
the command of a regiment. Tho General was by nature
extremely indolent, and although parsimonious to a degree
that sometimes got him into disgrace, yet he could scarcely
ever be persuaded to look into an account. His regimental
accounts therefore wont on from year to year, the agents
once a year striking a balance, and frequently urging him
to examine and sign them. His answer always was ho was
confident they were correct, and he would subscribe his
name to each year. Still ho neglected doing so. At length
tho Chaigneaus, being about to take a young gentleman into
partnership, it became requisite that all old accounts should
be previously closed. A regular and formal application was
therefore made to tho General, with fresh copies of each
balance shoot, tho years being kept quite distinct with the
vouchers for each in a separate parcel, that tho General might
refer thereto with tho least pOHttiblo trouble to himself. He
sot about the examination with much ill will, and greatly
offended at tho agents pressing for a settlement.

In the whole of tho voluminous accounts for a period of
twenty odd years not a single error or cause of complaint
appeared, which, instead of satisfying and planning the
Commaader, as it certaihly ought to have done, increased
his ill temper. He swore there must be a thousand im-
proper entries, and ho would go over and over again until
ho ascertained thorn. At last he pitched upon ono item of
ninety pounds in tho off reckoning account as an over-
charge. The Agents mildly endeavoured to convince him

822 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

of the propriety of the charge, but in vain. He grew out-
rageous, swore they were infamous cheats, and vowed he
would publish their rascality to the world.

This was too coarse and disgraceful an accusation for
men of probity to submit to ; the long standing friend-
ship was entirely forgotten on both sides, and the General
became a most implacable and vindictive enemy. As he
was resolved to contest the accounts, the Chaigneaus em-
ployed my father, who after fruitlessly exerting himself in
endeavouring to bring the General to reason and settle
amicably by arbitration, or in any manner he himself chose
to adopt, was so offended at the indelicate language he held
relating to the Chaigneaus that he assured him he should
advise his Clients to prosecute him for slander and defama-
tion. Strode thereupon grew warm, saying some rude
things to my father, who told him in plain terms " he was a
contemptible blackguard, and as such he would treat him if
he would quit his house, or declare before witnesses he would
not prosecute for an assault." This the gallant soldier
would not do, and my father left him. A Bill was im-
mediately filed against him. He answered and prepared to
fight his way inch by inch, and article by article.

With such inveteracy and animosity was the suit carried
on that both parties summoned a number of witnesses from
Ireland. During eleven entire years it never stopped : it was
before the Barons at least a dozen times in different stages
and different shapes, and various interlocutory orders were
made by their Lordships every one most decidedly against
the General, which seemed only to irritate him the more and
goad him on to opposition. After the practice of every
quirk and every quibble the forms of the Court admitted of,
the cause came on for final hearing, when a decree was
pronounced giving the Chaigneaus every sixpence they
claimed, with their full costs ! From which decree the
General appealed to the House of Lords, which appeal in due
course coming on, the decree of the Court of Exchequer was
affirmed, the Appeal being pronounced "frivolous and
vexatious," for which reason the Lords ordered Strode, the

ABANDONED 828

Appellant, to pay one hundred pounds, as exemplary costs !
Thus ended a discussion which cost the General no less a
sum than eleven thousand pounds ! This was paying for
his obstinacy with a vengeance.

In March (1775) Mr. Perryn of the Chancery bar (after-
wards made a Baron of the Exchequer) wrote to my father
to say he had a large payment to make in a few days and
therefore wished to receive what was due from the office,
My father, much surprized, answered he was not aware of
his office owing any thing, the fees having always accom-
panied the papers sent. Mr. Perryn replied I was the
person who had left the papers and best knew what had
become of the cash. Being referred to I had not a word
to say. This unpleasant discovery naturally led my father
to enquire how matters stood with other legal friends,
the result of which proved equally to my discredit. My
father found I had involved him to a considerable extent with
Mr. Maddocks, Mr. Bearcroft, Mr. Ley, and Master Mett.
No wonder after all that had before occurred this should
have irritated him beyond measure. Having ascertained
the extent of the evil he with a degree of coolness that cut
me to the soul, said, in the presence of all the clerks, " I now
sec, fatally sec, that you are incorrigible. I have done with
you for ever. From this hour I abandon you to your fate,
which must be a deplorable one. It is a cruel circumstance
that your infamy is likely to fix a stigma upon me and my
family. Wo must endeavour to console ourselves under a
consciousness that we do not deserve it. Go, young man,
leave the house, and never more enter it." He then led mo
by tho arm to the street, shutting the door upon mo.

Could. I blame a parent whom I had so repeatedly, so
grievously offended ? Certainly not, nor did I. Conscience,
that silent yet powerful monitor, told me I deserved every
ill that could befall an undutif ul, a perjured wretch, who thus
ungratefully repaid tho unbounded affection and kindness
of aft fond and indulgent a parent as over child was blessed
with. What a sad reflection it is that I am compelled to
record such accumulated, such repeated disgraceful actions

S24 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

of myself. My only consolation is that although my follies
(not to use a harsher term) were so numerous and so often
repeated, yet my honoured father lived long enough to see
an end of them, and most heartily and affectionately to
congratulate me upon my having at last steadily settled in a
fair, industrious, and honourable line of life, universally
esteemed and respected in the society amongst whom I
resided. Thank God that such has been the case and that
I have not, in addition to my other offences, to answer for
the truly heavy one of breaking a much loved father's heart.
Still, my wild oats were not all sown until long after the
period just mentioned. To return to the event of my
being driven disgracefully from home.

I left St. Albans Street, the place of my birth, and where
I had been brought up with every possible indulgence
and kindness by the most affectionate parents, with feelings
I cannot attempt to describe. At times I could not help
indulging a hope that my father (whose partiality towards
me I knew so well and had so greatly presumed upon) would
in some measure relent, but upon a recollection of the
heinousness of my offences, the fond idea vanished as soon
as formed. What then was to become of me ? An out-
cast ! Bankrupt alike in character, fame, and fortune !
Lost in gloomy meditation, I wandered about the town until
a late hour in the evening, when I entered Lowe's Hotel in
Henrietta Street, Covent Garden, went to bed, and there
passed as wretched and miserable a night as ever unfortu-
nate or guilty man did.

I arose at eight in the morning, paid half a crown for
my bed, out of two guineas and an half which I had in
my pocket when I left home, and with a heavy heart,
almost to suffocation, walked to Young Slaughter's Coffee
house in St. Martin's Lane. Misery and distress was so
strongly depicted in my countenance that upon my enter-
ing the room and throwing myself on a seat in the most
retired part, Preston, who kept the house, instantly came
up to me and kindly taking me by the hand, in the
most feeling manner, said, "Good God, my dear Mr,

A FRIEND IN NEED S25

Hickey, what ails you, what is the matter ? You look dread-
fully. Can I do any thing for you ? " This soothing address
proved too much for me, I could not restrain my tears, and
sobbed aloud, with a sensation in my throat like choking.

Prom the early hour there was no one in the room
but the people belonging to the house. Mrs. Preston and
a very pretty bar maid seemed as much interested about
me as Preston, and united their endeavours in persuading
me to go up stairs and lay down. I therefore took the
friendly advice, Preston himself attending me. When
alone with him I told him I was ruined, and with agony
related what had occurred without attempting pallia-
tion. The benevolent man exerted himself to console me,
insisting upon my remaining with him until some plan
could be adopted for my future support. He then left me
to take that repose my harassed frame stood so much in
need of, I slept four hours, which relieved mo greatly, and
I firmly believe the humane and generous treatment I
experienced from Preston and his family saved my life.
His conduct was the more handsome and liberal because
I, at that time, owed him more than thirty pounds for
articles furnished me in the Coffee and Club rooms.

In the afternoon Preston offered, though personally un-
known, to go and speak to my father on my behalf, which
1 would not allow from a conviction in my own mind that
it could not avail I afterwards learned that notwith-
standing my prohibition the worthy creature actually did
go to St. Albans Street, and there pathetically stated the
alarming situation in which I had entered his house, and
how extremely agitated and ill I still continued.

At the Cofleo house I remained six days wholly un-
noticed, and concluded I was for ever abandoned. The
seventh evening, as I was sitting contemplating the
melancholy prospect that presented itself in every point
of view, my young friend Arthur Forrest entered. He
immediately took a seat by me, saying he had just
heard from my family the unpleasant occurrence, and
directly set out in search of me. He lamented that ha

326 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

could not give me any hopes of my father's relenting,
who seefned to be offended past forgiveness, and had
most seriously and positively forbid any one ever to men-
tion my name before him. Forrest, however, recommended
my addressing him by letter, to which I objected from
really and truly being utterly at a loss what to say. To
make any new protestations I blushed at the thoughts of,
and felt that they ought not to carry the least weight with
them. After staying two hours he left me, promising to call
again the following day. He did so, and renewed his wish
that I would write with so much earnestness that after re-
peated refusals on my part I yielded, and did write to my
father, acknowledging my base ingratitude, and the infamy
of my whole life, that I had not a shadow of defence to
offer, neither did I ask or expect ever to be admitted to his
presence again, my sole object in writing being to bid him an
eternal adieu, and once more with a heart overflowing with
gratitude to thank him for his unbounded affection and
generosity, bestowed, as it had been, upon an ill fated,
worthless object.

This letter Arthur Forrest undertook to deliver, three
days after which he again called, and after some con-
versation asked whether I should like to go and lodge
and board at Mr. Malton's, who had taught me perspective
and geometry, until some line of life could be settled.
I answered that I was ready to go any where, or do any
thing my friends, if any I had left, deemed proper. He
then engaged to arrange all matters for my removal, and
the next day I went to my former instructor's, who had
a neat, new house at Chelsea, exactly opposite the Avenue
leading up to Ranelagh. His family then consisted of him-
self, at that time about forty five years of age, his wife,
nearly the same, and remarkably well looking, a shrewd,
sensible woman, a daughter, Ann, just turned sixteen, with
a sweet and interesting countenance, their eldest son,
Thomas, already mentioned, and who was a year younger
than his sister, Ann ; and besides four younger children,
two boys and two girls.

A PERIOD OF REST 327

I felt some surprize at so sedate and regular a family
admitting as an inmate such a person as myself, bt the old
folks received me with the utmost complacency and respect.
Mr. Malton told me that my father had settled every thing
respecting my stay at his house, but had desired I might
not be informed thereof. This was indeed a gratifying
piece of intelligence to me, as it convinced me my revered
father still thought of me and my welfare.

The style of life I had now entered upon was as unlike
what I had been long used to as could be. Here all was
regularity, decency, and decorum. The provisions for the
table, although humble, wore always good, clean, and ad-
mirably well dressed, consisting of a joint of meat, with
plenty of excellent vegetables, followed by a pic or a
pudding. We met at breakfast precisely at eight, dined at
one, drank tea at five, and supped at half past eight, re-
tiring to our respective bed chambers rather before ten.
The children soon became wonderfully attached to me.

The first month glided away imperceptibly. During tho
mornings I amused myself by drawing and renewing my
perspective, tho evenings partly in reading, and partly
playing cards with the family. 1 never wished to leave
the house ; the urbanity of manners of the master and
mistress, and the sprightly playfulness of tho little ones,
rendered me happier than I had ever before felt*

Towards tho end of April Ranelagh opened, One of tho
few families the Maltons kept up an acquaintance with
was that of the person who had charge of the property,
and resided in tho Mansion house (part of tho premises),
His name has escaped my recollection ; he was a well
informed, gentlemanlike mannered man, who had formerly
been engaged in an extensive line of commerce, but, being
unlucky in some considerable speculation**, ho failed* A
Statute of Bankruptcy issued against him wherein his
principal creditors, being irritated, they refused to sign his
Certificate, thereby preventing a renewal of business, and
he was obliged to live long in retirement and a degree of
penury At last Sir Thomas Robinson* tine proprietor of

328 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

Ranelagh, who had been at the same school and afterwards
at the University with him, and entertained a sincere regard
for him, hearing that he was in distress, made a point of
finding out his retreat, with a view to afford him assistance
and endeavour to establish him once more as a merchant,
His affairs, however, turned out so much worse than was
expected that Sir Thomas was obliged to abandon his in-
tentions, and next offered him the situation of House
keeper of Ranelagh, which would not only secure a com-
fortable place of residence for himself and wife, with coals
and candles, but also a salary of one hundred and fifty
pounds per annum. The offer was gratefully accepted of.

This gentleman or his wife called almost daily at Mr.
Malton's, and he seemed sensible of the civility of my manner
towards him, always courting my conversation. As he
early discovered Ranelagh to be a favorite amusement of
mine, and that I had been a regular and constant fre-
quenter of it, he very politely presented me with a silver
ticket, which he observed would not only give me ad-
mittance to the evening entertainments, but whenever I
chose it in the day time also, where it would amuse me to
walk in the Rotunda or Gardens. Of this privilege I availed
myself frequently, spending several hours of a morning
roving about the gardens or rowing upon the canal, after
which I entered the room, and amused myself in playing
the few tunes I knew upon a very fine harpsichord that
stood in the orchestra. In these rambles Ann Malton often
accompanied me, and although I was utterly ignorant of
music, playing what I did entirely by ear, she always ex-
pressed herself pleased in my performance and was unwilling
to let me quit the instrument.

One morning^ upon entering the parlour to breakfast,
I found Mr. Malton and his wife dissolved in tears,
which arose from an account they had just received of
the untimely death of their old and intimate friend,
the House keeper of Ranelagh, who had put a period
to his life. Having left his bed in the middle of the
night, he dressed and immediately walked into the garden,

A SUICIDE 329

where he threw himself into the canal. One of the watch-
men heard a splash of the water, but imagining it S/rose from
the fish jumping he took no notice. In the morning how-
ever, upon hearing that his master was missing, he mentioned
the circumstance, and the canal being forthwith dragged
the body was found. This unhappy gentleman's death by
his own hands shocked me extremely. Though but a recent
acquaintance, I had a great respect for him, was indebted
to him for many acts of civility and kindness, and passed
many happy and profitable hours in his society and con-
verse.

CHAPTER XXVI

OFF TO JAMAICA

Ethe beginning of July my father sent a messenger to
lesire I would go home the next day. I accordingly went
to St. Albans Street, when my father without recurring to
former faults, or any upbraidings, to my infinite surprize told
me that Mr. Burke had recommended my going to the West
Indies to practice the law in the Island of Jamaica, where all
of that profession prospered exceedingly with only common
attention and industry ; that both Mr. Burke and his brother,
Eichard, had connections there who would, for their sakes,
exert themselves to promote my interest and success should
I prove commonly deserving. He also said, as I had served
my full clerkship, at least in point of time, it would be
advisable for me to procure my admission to the Boll of
Attornies of the Court of Bang's Bench previous to my
departure. He then desired me to return to Mr* Maltons'
to take leave of that respectable family, to whom I was
under great obligations, and come home again the following
morning.

The leave taking was a ceremony I would rather have
dispensed with, but as that could not be I put the best
face on, and in the evening informed Mr. Malton I was
going to the West and not, as I had expected, the East
Indies, to prepare for which I should leave his house on the
morrow. He congratulated me upon the bright prospect
opening to my view, adding that he sincerely wished me
well. On bidding adieu to the children and their mother,
the latter shook me with apparent cordiality by the hand,
saying, "God bless and protect you, sir, and grant that you
may in a reasonable time return to your own country a rich,
and what is better, a good man, ' ' with a very strong emphasis
upon good. The old folks are, I believe, both dead, as is,

330

ADMITTED AN ATTORNEY 381

I am sorry to say, the eldest son, Thomas, who rose to
great eminence as a beautiful and correct draughtsman.

And so ended all chance of my resuming a red coat in the
service of the East India Company, or ever more mount-
ing a cockade and military sword.

Upon reaching the house of my nativity I took possession
of my old chamber, three days after which my father took
me to Mr. Justice Yate's, one of the Judges of the Court of
Bang's Bench, who, being a friend of long standing, had
offered the necessary Certificate, &c. for my admission.
He received us at his residence in Spring Garden with the
utmost politeness insisting upon our partaking of his break-
fast. After conversing for half an hour upon the common
news of the day, he apologized for dismissing us, as he was
obliged to go to Westminster earlier than usual to sit for
the Lord Chief Justice. My father then asked when it
would be convenient for him to receive me for the purpose
of examination as to my being equal to the practice of an
Attorney. The Judge thereupon addressing me with com-
placency and gentleness said, " Do me the favour to come
and breakfast with me at eight o'clock to-morrow morn-
ing, and I will take care every thing shall be ready. In
the interim send your deed, or articles, to my clerk that
he may take names, dates, and other particulars from
them."

At the time appointed I attended, and in a terrible
fright I was at the ordeal I imagined I had to pass through,
and the probable loss I might be at in answering some of
the many questions I understood would be put to me upon
points of practice. Being conducted into his parlour where
the breakfast things were all arranged, in five minutes the
Judge entered. We sat down, and he recommended his
French rolls and muffins as of the best sort, but so pre-
dominant were my fears about the dreaded examination that
I had no inclination to eat. Breakfast being over, he asked
me how I liked the Law, how long I had been out of my
clerkship, and two or three other questions equally un-
important, when a servant entered to announce the carriage

332 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

being at the door, whereupon he desired his clerk to be
called, up c on whose appearance he enquired whether Mr.
Hickey's Certificate was ready. The clerk having it and
other papers in his hand, the Judge took it from him, and
after perusal subscribed his name, and then said, ce Now,
Mr. Btickey, if you will be so good as to accompany me to
Westminster Hall, I will get you sworn, and the business
concluded." I accordingly stepped into his coach which
conveyed us to Westminster, and immediately going into
Court, where he had taken his seat upon the Bench, the
proper officer was asked whether he had the roll, and
answering in the affirmative my Certificate was delivered
to him and read, as was also an affidavit of my master,
Mr. Bayley's. This being done the Judge ordered the oaths
to be administered to me, after which, and my subscribing
my name to each, I was entered upon the Eoll as an At-
torney, and making a respectful bow to the Bench and
Bar, I retired, most agreeably relieved from my apprehen-
sions respecting the various interrogatories I had expected
would be put to me on the subject of my qualifications.

The following day my father gave me a letter, which
he desired I would myself deliver to Messrs, Nesbitt's,
eminent merchants, in Bishopsgate Street, the purport of
it being to request they would procure for me a passage
to the West Indies in one of their ships. I found Mr.
Arnold Nesbitt in the Counting house, who after reading
the letter assured me both himself and brother should feel
pleasure at all times in complying with any desire of Mr,
Hickey's. He said they should dispatch four ships within
the ensuing two months, and he would advise my proceeding
by the New Shoreham, a very fine ship, and commanded
by a respectable and worthy man. " I presume," added
Mr. Nesbitt, " your father knows that the passage money,
and all those sort of matters, must be arranged with the
Commander previous to the ship's departure, as we owners
never interfere about passengers, what they pay being a
perquisite of the Captain's." He then wrote an answer to
my father's letter, and on his desiring me to call again

THE TWIN BROTHERS PERREAU 333

upon kirn that day week, when he would introduce me
to the Captain, I took leave.

I now once more became a gentleman at large, ranging
about in the circle of friends 3 but the scantiness of my supplies
would not allow of my frequenting public places so fre-
quently as I had formerly done. During my perambula-
tions I often met Mr. Daniel Perreau, the youngest of the
unfortunate twin brothers who made such a disgraceful exit
from the world. He had just purchased a handsome house
in Upper Harley Street, which he had furnished in a most
expensive and fashionable style, kept a coach, and in every
other respect made the appearance of being in possession
of a large income, which it was supposed arose from con-
siderable plantations in the West Indies. His elder brother,
Robert, was an apothecary in great practice, and of the
highest respectability, who had long been a neighbour of
my father's in St. Albans Street.

Daniel had upon several occasions employed my father
as his Attorney, and recently so in preparing the con-
veyance of the above mentioned house. Early in the
morning of the day fixed upon for the execution of the
deeds and payment of the purchase money, he called
at the office to tell my father he had been disappointed
of three thousand pounds which he expected to have
received, and found himself from that circumstance fifteen
hundred guineas short of the amount to be paid for
the house ; that unless my father could assist him, the
completion of the business must be deferred, which he
should be sorry for, the proprietor of the premises having
come out of Somersetshire for the sole purpose of making
the transfer that day ; that within a week he should be cer-
tain of having it in his power to reimburse him. My father,
happening to have the sum required in his Banker's hands,
drew for it, and the matter was finally adjusted, Mr. Per-
reau expressing his warmest thanks for the accommodation
and most punctually repaying the amount at the period he
had promised. Had my father entertained the most dis-
tant suspicion of his client's real situation at the time of

334 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

the above^ transaction and while he remained so seriously
his debtor, he would have been in dreadful alarm.

I had accepted an invitation to join a very jovial party,
male and female, and sup at Vauxhall, but having only one
solitary guinea in my pocket, which I knew would not be
adequate to the expence of the evening, I was quite at a
loss how to raise a supply, and taking a solitary walk in
St. James's park ruminating upon " ways and means,"
and how it would be possible to strengthen my purse, or
what article I possessed of sufficient value to induce my
friend Trip, a Pawnbroker in St. Martin's Lane, to advance
two or three guineas, I saw Mr. Daniel Perreau stepping
out of his carriage at the stable yard gate, who immediately
joined me. During our walk together he asked me a number
of questions respecting my future plan of life, and whether
I was to follow my father's profession in London. I told
him I was almost immediately going to Jamaica, as I found
the temptations of London led me into more expence than
I could afford. " I wonder at that," said he, " for I should
suppose your office very productive in fees, and apropos,
that brings to my recollection that from my being short of
cash when my conveyance was executed, I omitted to pay
the usual fee to the clerk. Permit me therefore now to
remedy that error," and taking out his purse, he presented
me with five guineas, which I received with much satis-
faction, feeling that it would enable me to bear my share of
the Vauxhall bill without a disagreeable reference to the
three, Uue balls!

Only four days after the above circumstance had oc-
curred Mr. Belliard, an eminent wholesale jeweller of
Pall Mall, came in great haste to our office to say the
two Perreaus had just been taken up upon a charge of
forgery, and were actually both committed to Tothill
fields Bridewell; that he was under great alarm respecting
a valuable ring belonging to him, which was in Daniel
Perreau's possession, he having about three months before
been at his house to say he wanted to purchase a single
stone diamond ring which he wished to be of the finest

HOW A RING WAS SAVED 335

lustre, and large, intending it as a family ring Jo descend
to his future progeny ; that he (Mr. Belliard) thereupon
told him he had a very brilliant one which he conceived
would exactly suit, instantly opening his iron chest and
producing it. Upon inspection Mr. Perreau observed it
undoubtedly was uncommonly beautiful, but he had an
insuperable objection to the shape, which was somewhat
of a heart. He, however, put it on his finger, which it
happened to fit exactly, and again admiring the water as
exquisite, directed Mr. Belliard as soon as possible to
procure one for him of the same size, but of another form,
which he promised to do, requesting Perreau would keep
and wear the one he then had on, " for," says he, " as I
keep no shop it will be more seen and more likely to be sold
upon your finger than if shut up here ; only have the good-
ness, when noticed, to say that it belongs to me, that it is
for sale, and the price two thousand guineas." Upon
these conditions Mr. Perreau took away the ring, and
whenever any person admired it, he invariably stated the
foregoing particulars.

To recover this ring was the object of Mr. Belliard's
visit, who requested my father would accompany him
to the prison for that purpose. Mr. Belliard's carriage
being at the door, I was desired to attend as a witness
to what should pass. Upon reaching the place of con-
finement and enquiring for the unfortunate brothers, we
were conducted into a large, well furnished apartment,
where they both were. Upon our entrance Robert covered
his face with his handkerchief, and bursting into tears,
sobbed aloud, while Daniel, on the contrary, approached
us with as much apparent ease and nonchalance as if re-
ceiving company in his own elegant mansion in Upper Harley
Street. My father finding him thus unaffected immediately
mentioned the occasion of our coming, upon which Daniel
Perreau readily admitted the ring to be the property of
Mr. Belliard, but observed that it was not then in his
possession, Admiral Sir Thomas Frankland having that
morning insisted, as he was a creditor to a great amount,

SS6 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

upon its being given up to him, notwithstanding he (Daniel
Perreau) had most solemnly assured Sir Thomas he had
no right whatsoever to the ring, which was the sole and
entire property of Mr. Belliard, and related the manner
in which he came to wear it. My father being acquainted
with Sir Thomas Frankland, we drove from the prison to his
house, and finding him at home, my father with much
civility related the circumstances attending the ring. Sir
Thomas, having listened thereto with the utmost attention,
replied :

" Well, Mr. Hickey, and this being the case what do you
conceive ought to be done ? "

My Father instantly answered :

" Clearly the ring must be returned to Mr. Belliard as
proprietor thereof."

" Humph," said Sir Thomas, " and that's your opinion,
is it, Mr. Hickey ? Then I must observe I do not think
your opinion worth two pence. I differ totally, and though,
no lawyer, Mr. Hickey, I am no fool, and, by God, I'll keep
the ring, Mr. Hickey."

My father's choler being raised at the insolent and im-
pertinent manner in which this speech was delivered,
warmly and with a considerable degree of contempt re-
torted :

"Then, Mr. Admiral, I shall without further scruple
convince you in a public Court that you are as ignorant
as unjust, and I will make you pay dearly for your obstinacy
and impertinence," saying which we quitted the room and
resumed our seats with Mr. Belliard, who had remained in
his carriage.

A legal demand of the ring was made the same day and
an action of trover commenced, which Sir Thomas de-
fended in the most determined manner, and after the whole
process of special pleading was gone through he obtained
an order for a special jury. The cause came on for trial in
the Court of Common Pleas, the two Perreaus being brought
up by Habeas Corpus to give evidence, as was also Mrs.
Rudd, and several persons of rank who had frequently heard

SELECTING A CABIN 887

Daniel Perreau declare the ring belonged to Mr, t Belliard,
was for sale, and that he only wore it until one of equal
value, but of a different shape, coidd be procured. The
fact being clearly established, and not a single witness called
on the part of the defendant, his Counsel had not a word
to say, candidly admitting there never was a clearer or
plainer case, and that they were grossly deceived by their
Briefs or would not have appeared in such a disgraceful
cause. A verdict for the plaintiff followed, the noble naval
Baronet was obliged to relinquish the ring, with nearly two
hundred pounds expeiiee attending his absurd and obstinate
attempt to retain it.

I never was more shocked in my life than upon my enter-
ing the apartment in Bridewell, and there beholding a man
who only a few days before I had looked upon with envy,
as in possession of affluence and every human enjoyment,
a prisoner whose life would in all probability be soon put
an end to by the common hangman for an atrocious felony,
to the perpetual disgrace of himself and family.

On the day appointed I again went to Bishopsgate Street,
when Mr. Nesbitt gave me a letter to Captain Paul Surrnan,
Commander of the ship New Shorekam, whom I found at
the Jamaica Coffee house. He appeared to be a plain,
good tempered man ; a strong brogue plainly marked his
native country Ireland. He told me he had not yet any
passengers, that I might therefore take my choice of the
cabins, but he had no doubt plenty would apply before
his departure. He also informed me that I should see most
of the West India Islands, as he was to stop at different
places to deliver goods he had on freight, that the passage
money to be paid previous to embarking was thirty guineas,
for which he should supply a table during the voyage.
He advised me to go on board the ship then laying off
Eotherhithe, and fix upon acabin. This I did the following
day, finding her a very fine vessel, between three and four
hundred tons burthen, elegantly fitted up, and lined
throughout the after part with mahogany. I took posses-
sion of the cabin adjoining the principal one, into which it

338 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

opened, having a large scuttle which afforded abundant
light.

My father forthwith paid the passage money, and fitted
me out with his usual liberality. My esteemed and in-
variable friend, Mr. Edmund Burke, procured for me
letters of introduction and recommendation to Sir Basil
Keith, the Governor of Jamaica, Mr. Webley, the Chief
Justice, Mr. Harrison, the Attorney General, Messrs.
Welch, Brownrigg, and Baker, Barristers, the last being
well known under the name of " Billy Baker 3> ; also to
Messrs. Lyon and Ridge, Attorni.es, besides several gentle-
men, planters in different parts of the Island. My father
likewise furnished me with letters to some of his own
friends, amongst whom were, Mr. Robert Richards and
Captain Stair Douglas of the navy.

On the 1st of September 1775 I once more took leave of
my family, and set out from St. Albans Street for Gravesend,
where Captain Surman said all his passengers would go on
board, as he did not intend to anchor in the Downs if the
wind proved fair for proceeding down Channel,

INDEX

Abbesses, Lady, 71

Adair, Mr., 298

Addison, Joseph, 308

Admiralty, 65

Albemarle, Dowager Lady, 305

et sqq. +

Albemarle, Earl of, 303
Allen, Mr., 93-4
Angel, The Strand, 65
Ank&rwykc, E.I.C.8., 242
Ardley, Mr., 167
Ascension, Island of, 242 et sqq,
Ashbumham, E.I.C.8., 141. 212
Aurora, E.I.C.S., 254

Baggs, Major, 296

Bagnell, Captain, 292-3

Baker, Captain, 141, 204, 229 et tqq.,

259, 260, 279
Baker, Mr., 319
Baker, Mr. (Barrister), 338
Baker, Mr. (of Deal), 94
Banister, Charles, 119
Bate, Rev. Mr., 287 et sqq.
Bath, 69, 79, 13 5.283 ettqq.
Battersea, 72, 87-8
Bayley, Mr. Nathaniel 55-6, 60, 67,

69, 89, 97, 109, 113-14
Bearcroft, Mr., 323
Beau (the ship's dog), 116, 154,

158, 161

Bedford Coffee House, 71
Belliard, Mr., 334 et sqq.
Bengal, 22, 117, 144-5, 173, 179,

181, 183, 213, 234, 236, 253, 279,

280, 291, 311
Berwick Street, 66-7
Bessborough, Earl of, 302
Bevan, Mr., 202
Bigger, Mr. James, 299
Bishopsgate Street, 332, 337
Blackall, 47-8
Blake, Mr., 202
Blenheim, H.M.S., 189
Blount, Sir Charles, 48
Boodle'f Club, 299, 300

Boulton, Mr,, 131

Bourehier, Governor, 167 et sqq>,

met sqq. ^

Bourehier, Richard, 130 et sqq., 141,

168, 177, 181
Bourke, Mr., 2
Bow Street, 33
Bradshaw, Mr, 202, 206, 319
Brecknock, 296-7
Brent, 125, 137-8, 251-2
Brickdale, Mr., 318
Bridewell, 334
Bristol, Earl of, 287
Brown, Captain Ulysses, 295
Brownrigg, Mr,, 338
Bucks, The, 119-261
Bulkeley, Lord, 100
Bulkeley, Mrs,, 319
Burford, H.M.S., 7
Burgess-Girl, 85-6
Burke, Edmund, 13, 41. 53-4, 302,

309, 312 et sqq., 330, 338
Burke, Mrs., 53
Burke, Richard, 53, 330
Burke, William, 2, 53, 283 et *qq. , 303
Hurt, Mr,, 72-3
Burt, Mrs., 72-3
Burt, Sally, 72-3
Byde, Mr., 273
Byng, Hon. John, 202
Byng, Hon. Mrs., 262- 3

Calcutta, 183. 211, 285

Cane, Mr. William, 28, 45-6, 283-4,

299

Canterbury, 136 et tqq.
Canton, 198 et sqq., 215
Carhampton, Earl of, 8
Carnegie, Mr., 227
Carpenter's Club, 89
Carvalho, Mr., 205, 212-13
Catamarans, 186 et sqq.
Cecil, Captain, 87
Chaigneau, Messrs. John and

William, 321 et sqq.
Chambers, Mr., 233

339

840 MEMOIRS OF WltLIAM HICKEY

Chambers, Robert-, 311
Champnes, Jr., 119
Chancery Lane, 57
Chapman, Mr., 133
Charing Cross, 25, 109, 138
Charlotte, Queen of George III, 32
Charlton, Mr. Francis, 22, 167, 236,

252-3

Chatham, 88, 122-3, 285
Chatham, 172 et sqq.
Chelsea, 14, 109, 298-9, 327
Chetwood, Mr., 116
Chetwood, Mrs., 116
Chetwood, Ann, 116
Chetwood, Elizabeth, 116
Chetwood, Hessy, 116
Chisholme, Charles, 133, 143-4,

146 et sqq., 155, 185 et $qq., 196,

242, 246

Cholmondeley, Lord, S
Cholmondeley, Mrs., 283
Cholmondeley, Robert, 283
Churchill, Charles, 13
dapereau, Mr., 102-3
Clavering, General Sir John, 311
Clements, Captain, 141
Cleverly, Mr., 299
dive, Lord, 144-5, 284-5
Cocksedge, Mother, 71
Coffee Houses, 89
Coggan, Mr., 117-18, 124-5
Colebrooke, E.I.C.S., 25
Colebrooke, Sir George, 117, 253
Coleheme, 114-15
Colquhoun, Mr., 100
Cooper, Colonel Charles, 299
Cooper, Lucy, 126
Corneille, Mr., 235-6, 239 et sqq.
Cornish, Sir Samuel, 130, 254-5
Court, Doctor Demi, 133, 152, 220

et sqq., 225
Covent Garden, 33, 49, 71, 86, 89,

103, 130-1, 324
Coventry, 285
Cox, Mr., 271
Craven Street, 300
Cricket, Westminster v. JEton, 99 et

sqq.

Croftes, Captain, 288 et aqq.
Croftes, Mr., Charles, 291
Cruttenden, E.I.C.S., 141, 204 et

qq., 223, 228 et *qq. t 240, 242,

258, 271, 279

Davidson, Alexander, 171-2
Dawson, Mr., 167-8, 174 et sqq..
182 et sqq.

Deal, IMet&qq.

De Castro, General, 221 ft $qq.

Be Grey, William, 1st Baron

Walsingham, 56

Denmark, King of (see Frederic V)
Dennis, Mr., 275 et $qq.
Dont, Sir Digby, 254 et sqq.
Deptford, 256-7
Desaguliers, General, 299, 313
Devisme, Mr., 202, 204-5, 208 rt

*qq., 216, 225-6
Devonshire, Dtike of, 302
Dibdin, Charles, 119
Dillon, Hon. Mr., 298
Dobson, Austin, 308
Dodd, Mr., 119, 319
Dolphin, 254 et sqq.
Dorset, Duke of, 99, 100
Douglas, Mr. Peter, 121 et sqq., 132,

144, Utetsqq., 180,214
Douglas, Captain Stair, 338
Dover, IMetsqq., 251
Doveton, Captain, 141
Drummoiid, Messrs., 9S
Dublin, 1, 23, 42-3, 60 et sqq.
Dundas, Mr., 189
Dunning, John, 1st Baron Ashbur-

ton, 56

Du Pro, Mr., 167
Durand, Mr., 146 et sqq.
Duval, Dr., 114
Dyo, Nancy, 47 et sqq.

Earl of Lincoln, E.I.C.S., 141, 2LO
East India Company 25, 75, 87,

115, 117, 124-5, 130, 189, 203,

284, 330

East India Co.'s Fleet, 141
Edwards, John, 28, 66
Egmont, Earl of, 24, 32
Elphinstone, Hon. Captain, 141,

172, 190-1, 218-19
Elwcs, Mr., G7
England, Dick, 24-5
Eton, 49, 2SS
Euphrates Lodge of Bucks, 119, 201

Fagan, Mr., 295-6

FaiTer, Mr., 273, 311 et sqq.

Ferrers, Earl, 20

Fielding, Sir John, 71, 277

Fishmongers' Company, 34-5

Fitzgerald, George iiobert, 287

et $gq. t 292 et sqq.
Fleot Prison, 108
Fletcher, Sir Robwrfc, 167
Flett, Mr., 323

INDEX

341

Flying Fish, 149

Forbes, Mr., 133, 184

Ford, Mr., 253

Forrest, Admiral, 263 et sqq.

Forrest, Arthur, 262, 266-7, 286,

3356

Forrest, Mrs., 261 et sqq.
Forrest, Thomas, 262, 271, 285, 298
Fortescue, Captain, 213
Fox, Mr., 267-8
Francis, Philip, 311
Frankland, Admiral Sir Thomas,

335 et sqq.
Frederic, King of Denmark, 109,

112, 128 etsqq.

Frederick, Captain, 271, 276 et sqq.
Fuller, Mr. Rose, 48 et sqq.
Fuller, Mr. (jnr.), 48, 50

Garnbier, Captain, 6, 7, 11, 12, 254

Gansel, General, 300-1

Gardelle, 16 et sqq.

Garrick, David, 258

George II, 22

George III, 30 et sqq., 315-16

George IV (Prince of Wales), 109

Gerard Street, Soho, 3

Gillam, Mr., 93

Qlatton, E.I.C.S., 141

Globe Tavern, 119

Glynn, Serjeant, 317

Goldsmith, Oliver, 30 8-9

Gordon, Dr., 222, 228

Gowdie, Surgeon Walter, 133, 141,

144, 161, 170, 184, 225, 246
Grady, Mr., 213
Grafton, Duke of, 129
Granby, E.I.C.S., 215, 217
Grant, James, 133 et sqq., 150, 158

et sqq., 171, 183, 283-4
Gravesend, 87, 95, 123, 130 et sqq. f

257, 298-9, 338
Great Earl Street, 310
Greentree, Mr., 235, 240
Grey, Mr., 189, 190
Grosvenor, Lady, 37, 39
Grosvenor, Lord, 37 et sqq.
Grubb, Mr., 35
Gwydir, Lord, 271

Haggis, Captain, 181
Hamilton, Duke of, 271
Hamilton, John, 5-6
Hamilton, Mother, 71
Hamilton, Bhoan (one of the
" Mohawks "), 273 et sqq,, 309, 310
Hammersmith, 90
Z2

Hampshire, E.I.C.S., 141, 153, 156,

158 et sqq., 234, 240, 242 et sqq.
Hampton-on-Thames, 96-7, 99, 105
Har&wicke, Captain, 141
Hare, Mr., 276 et sqq.
Harrington, Mrs., 109
Harris, Nancy, 12, 33, 66-7, 95
Harrison, Mr., 202, 206
Harrison, Mr. (Attorney-General),

338

Harrison, 49, 50
Hartford, Fanny, 90 et sqq., 99, 100,

109, 121 et sqq., 129 et sqq,, 137,

261

Hartley, Mrs., 287 et sqq., 319
Hastings, Right Hon. Warren, 311
Hayes, Mr. Samuel, 75, 320-1
Haymarket, 19, 130 -
Hayter, Mr. (one of the " Mo-
hawks "), 273, 309
Hector, E.I.C.S., 141, 165, 169, 212
Hernon, Mr., 41
Hervey, Mr., 5, 6
Hiekey, Mrs. Joseph (mother of

William Hickey), I, 3, 8, 11, 12,

19, 29, 31, 44, 62, 67, 97-8
Hiekey, Ann, 20, 42, 62, 97, 282
Hickey, Henry, 3, 13, 23 et sqq.,

62-3, 84 et sqq., 109, 119, 125
Hiekey, Joseph (father of William
Hickey), 24 et sqq. t 49, 52, 100,
105, 131, 233

his descent, 1

his career, 1 et sqq.

the libel against, 5, 6

his wishes respecting his son
William, 6, 7, 13

gains a prize in the State Lottery,
21

and William's boyish escapades,
27 et sqq.

attends Coronation of King
George in, 30 et sqq.

remonstrates with his son Wil-
liam, 36, 40, 55, 76-7, 88-9,
98, 110 et sqq.

Dr. Nugent's treatment of, 42 et
sqq.

articles William to Mr. Bayley,
56

and Lord Thurlow, 57-8

Judy White's opinion of, 60 et sqq

goes to France, 62

praises William, 68, 77-8

goes to Bath s 69

and the suicide of Mr. Nunez, 79

S42

MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

Hickey, Joseph (con*.)
and Mr. Smith's opinion of his

son William, 88^9
his disgust of William's conduct,

98, 114 et sqq.
and the death of Mrs. Hickey,

110 etsqq.

decides that William should
enter the East India Company
as a cadet, 115 et sqq.
leaves Twickenham, 128
and William's wish to leave the

E.I.C.S., 177, 179
his displeasure at the return of

William, 251 et sqq.
attempts to find a fresh appoint-
ment for William, 254 et sqq.
returns to Richmond, 261
visits Bath with William, 283
and William Burke's invest-
ments, 284-5

at last abandons his son, 323 et sqq.
makes provision for his son Wil-
liam at the Maltons, 326-7
sends William to Jamaica, 330

et sqq.
and the affair of the Brothers

Perreau, 333 et sqq.
Hickey, Joseph (brother of William
Hickey), 3, 13, 26, 31, 49, 55, 67
et sqq., 97, 112-13, 119, 127-8,
252

Hickey, Mary, 3, 31, 97, 128, 261
Hickey, Sarah, 20, 42, 62, 97, 283
Hickey, William
his birth and parentage, 1 et sqq,
his nurse's affection for, 3-4
determines to enter the Navy,

6-7

objects to inoculation, 7-8
death of Mr. Byan, his god-
father, 9, 10
his dislike of fat influences his

career, 11-12

Nancy Harris's influence on, 12
goes to Westminster, 13
his school life, 13 et sqq., 26
describes the murder of Mrs.

King, 15 et sqq.
attends the execution of Earl

Ferrers, 20
announces the King's death to

Westminster School, 22-3
his account of his brother Henry's

career, 23 et sqq.

his early depravity, 24, 33, 47-8
youthful pranks, 26 et sqq.

Hickey, William (con*.) -

adventures on the Thames, 28

et sqq.
attends coronation of George

in, 30 et sqq.

attends the Fishmongers 4 Ban-
quet, 34 et sqq.
removed from Westminster

School, 36

describes a fatal fire, 36 et sqq.
goes to school at Streatham, 41
takes smallpox, 41-2
his humorous account of Dr.

Nugent's treatment of hia

father, 42 et sqq.
a tragic love-affair described by,

44-5
school life at Streatham, his

schoolboy escapade, 49 et sqq.
leaves Streatham, 52
on Edmund Burke, 53-4
parental advice to, 55, 68-9, 98,

115 etsqq., 253, 281
early legal training, 55 et sqq.
on Lord Thurlow, 57
his diplomatic treatment of Lord

Thurlow and Sir Fletcher

Norton, 57 et sqq.
his passion for billiards, 64-5
meets Nancy Harris again, 667
falsifies his father's books, 69, 70,

97
frequents disorderly houses, 71-2,

86
adventures at the Bed House

Club, 73 et sqq.

Mr. Smith's undeserved testi-
monial concerning, 77-8
goes to Bath, 79
describes the suicide of Mr.

Nunez, 80-1

his temporary reformation, 81
his experiences in a Drury Lane

" den," 82 et sqq.
goes yachting with Mr. Smith,

87 et sqq.
his adventure with Fanny Hart'

ford, 90 et sqq.

and the Wilkes Riots, 92 et sqq.
a rowing feat, 95
attends the Earl of Lincoln's

regatta, 95 et sqq.
plays in the Westminster Eleven,

99 et sqq.

a drunken adventure, 101 et sqq.
death of his mother, 110 et sqq.
again robs Jus father, 114 * #g.

INDEX

343

Hickey, William (eont.}
preparations aa a cadet in the

East India Company, 115 et

sqq.
takes Fanny Hartford over his

ship at Gravesend, 121 et sqq.
attends examination, 124
farewell parties, 125-6
attends masquerade at the Opera

House, 128 et sqq.
says farewell to his friends, 131-2
his ship's company, 133-4
first taste of sea-sickness, 134, 141
goes to Dover with Bourchier,

135-6

a rush for the ship, 138-9
begins his first voyage, 141
describes captain and shipmates,

142 et sqq.

life on board ship, 149 et sqq.
goes ashore on Island of Johanna,

153 et sqq.
duel between two Hampshire

cadets, 156-7

his narrow escape from drown-
ing, 158 et sqq.
describes the Masulah boat, 164

et sqq.

lands at Madras, 167
dining at Government House,

169 et sqq.

the fencing party, 171-2
describes terrible gale, 172 et sqq.
visits an Indian garden, 174-5
riding on an Arab, 175-6
desires to leave Madras, 177 et

m-

decides to return to England,

179 et sqq.
entertainment at Government

House, 181-2

tragic ending to a call, 182 et sqq.
the Catamarans, 186-7
embarks for China, 187 et sqq.
stops at Malacca, 190 et sqq.
describes a terrible storm, 194

et sqq.

arrives at Canton, 198
on the Chinese habits and

customs, 199 et sqq.
his quarters in Canton, 202 et sqq.
first meeting with Bob Pott, 203

etsqq.
descriptions of his Canton friends,

208 et sqq.
takes a trip with Pott to Wham-

poa. 223 et sqq.

Hickey, William (con
attends Chinese entertainments,

223-4

visits interior of the city, 225
Chinese knavery, 225 et sqq.
and Pott's suggestion that he

should leave the Plassey, 229

et sqq.

leaves Canton, 233
lands at St. Helena, 235
and General Richard Smith, 236

et sqq.

leaves St. Helena, 241
catching turtles, 242 et sqq.
gale causes accident to, 245 et sqq.
the smuggler's deal, 248 et sqq.
lands at Dover, 251
London gaieties, 251-2
father's plans for, 253 et sqq.
and Captain Digby Dent, 254

et sqq.

meets the Pott family, 258 et sqq.
once more takes to the desk, 258
his friendship with the Forrest

family, 261 et sqq.
and the Mohawks, 272 et sqq.
his friendship with Pott resumed,

278 et sqq.
lessons in art from Mr. Malton,

281-2
goes to Bath with his father, 283

etsqq.
his increasing dissipation, 287,

310
curious Bate-Hartley affair, 287

et sqq.

takes up sailing, 297 et sqq t
and Boodle's, 299 et sqq.
and the absentee tax, 302-3
and the Horneck affair, 303 et

sqq.

the end of the Mohawks, 309
and the case of Captain Jones,

312 et sqq.

London gossip, 317 et sqq.
his illness through dissipation,

320

an old lawsuit, 321 et sqq.
abandoned by his father, 323 #

sqq.
lives with the Maltona by hit

father's wish, 326 et sqq.
sent to Jamaica by his father,

330 et sqq.

a jovial party at Vauxhall, 334
and the lost ring, 334 et sqq.
embarks for Jamaica, 338

844

MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HICKEY

Hickey, Mr. Thomas, 23

HinchcliS, fir., Bishop of Peter-
borough, 22

Hindley, Mr., 28-9, 99

Hodgson, Mr., 50

Holland, Lord, 299

Hook, James, 119

Horneck, Mr. (of the Guards),
280-1, 303 et sqq.

Horneck, Mrs., 303 et sqq<

Horton, Sir Watts, 271

HougUon, E.I.C.S., 285

Howorth, Mr., 298

Hudson, Mr., 27 et sqq.

Hulse, General, 293

Hunt, 237 et sqq.

Hyde, John, 311

Hyde Park, 9

Impey, Sir Elijah, 311
Isaacs, Miss, 31
Isaacs, Mr., 31

Jackson, Captain, 141

Jackson, Rev. Mr., 41, 47, 50 et sqq.

James, St., Westminster, 263

Jay, Sir James, 266-7

Jennings, Mr., 101, 107-8

Jermyn Street, 236

Johanna, Island of, 153 et sqq.

Johanna's Prince of Wales, 155

Jones, Captain, 312 et sqq.

Jones, Molly, 66, 111

Jones, Richard, 133, 180

Jones, Sir William, 153

Joy, Mr., 26, 28

Junks, Chinese, 199

Jupp, Mr., 72

Keighley, Mrs., 41, 48, 51
Keith, Sir Basil, 338
Kew, 34

Kew Gardens, 109
King, Mrs., 15 et sqq*
King, Peter, 163-4
King, Thomas, 72
King's Bench Prison, 120
Kirkman, Alderman, 299
Knox, Miss, 44-5
Knox, Mr,, 44-5

Lake, Viscount, 293-4
Lambeth, 74, 95
Lawson, Captain, 213 et sqq.
Leicester Fields, 15
Leicester House, 15
Lemaitre, Stephen Caesar, 311

Lewis, 49
Ley, Mr., 323
Lincoln, Earl of, 95
Lincoln's Inn, 59, 60, 70
Little Russell Street, 82, 84
Littleton, Lord, 288, 292, 297
Lloyd, Dr., 14, 22, 33
Lloyd, Robert, 13-14
Lombard Street, 61
Lord Holland, E.I.C.S., 182, 213
Lovely Mary, The, 87-8
Lowe'a Hotel, 324
Lowry, Mr., 102, 273
Lynch, Commodore, 261 et sqq.
Lynch, Mrs., 261-2
Lyon, Mr., 338

Maclean, Colonel, 130
Macnaghten, John, 44-5
McClintock, Mr., 185-6, 191, 197-

8, 202 et sqq., 223, 233, 235, 242,

247, 251-2, 260
Maddocks, Mr., 56, 323
Madras, 25, 117-18, 130, 145, 147,

163 et sqq., 195, 197, 213, 228, 233,

253-4, 260, 271, 320
Magee, Mr., 211-12
Mahon, Gilly, 24, 125, 318-19
Maidstone, 88
Malacca, 190 et sqq.
Malby's Club, 25
Malton, Mr. Thomas, 281-2, 327

et sqq.

Malton, Mrs., 282, 328
Manchester, Duchess of, 12
Marcelis, Anthony, 118
Margate, 87

Marjoram's Club, 84 et sqq.
Markham, Dr., Archbishop of York,

14, 22, 31, 36
Harriot, Mr., 175
Masulah, 187

Mathews, Colonel, 2 et sqq., 8
Mattocks, Mrs., 319
Miles, "Captain," 288 et sqq.
Millbank, 74
Milton, Lord, 302
Mitford, Robert, 273, 299, 319, 320
" Mohawks," The, 273 et sqq. t 287,

309

Molesworth, Captain, 37
Molesworth, Henrietta, 37 et sqq.
Molesworth, Lady, 37 et sqq.
Molesworth, Lord, 37, 100
Monaon, Colonel, 311
Morning Post, 290
Morris, Captain, 172 et *qq.

INDEX

Motteux, Mr., 98, 105-8
Moulsey, 99, 101, 105
Murchinson, Dr., 291-2
Murphy's Club, 84, 86, 89

Nairn, Captain, 182

Nando's, 57, 59

Neale, Mr. Pendock, 87

Nesbitt, Messrs., 332, 337

Newgate, 18, 300

Newman Street, 269

New Shoreham, 332, 337

Newton, Miss, 101-2

Nivernois, Due de, 140, 181

North, Lord, 319

Northington, Robert Henley, First

Earl of, 14, 70
Northington, Robert Henley,

Second Earl of, 14, 20, 35, 100
Northumberland, E.I.O.S., 273, 319
Northumberland, Duke of, 317
Norton, Sir Fletcher, 56, 59 et sqq., 70
Nottingham, E.LC.S-, 141, 212, 227
Nugent, Dr., 41 et sqq., 53, 75
Nugent, Sir Nicholas, 295-6
Nugent, Major Walter, 24, 125
Nunez, Mr., 79 et sqq.

Oliphant, Mr., 189
Opera House, 128 et sqq.
Osborne, Lord Francis, 100
Osborne, Mr. (one of the Mohawks),

274, 278, 310
Osterley, E.I.C.S., 141, 213

Page, Ann, 3, 4

Pall Mall, 3, 4, 9, 31, 300

Panton Street, 19, 252

Parsloe, Mr., 190, 192

Pearce, Captain, 141

Pelhara-Clinton, Lord Thomas, 317

Percy, Earl, 317

Perreau, Mr. Daniel, 333 et sqq.

Perreau, Mr. Robert, 333 et sqq.

Perryn, Baron, 56, 323

Phipps, Mr., 202, 224

Phanix, E.I.C.S., 190

Piazza Coffee House, 274 et sqq.

Pigoa, Mr., 202

Pigot, E.I.C.S., 141, 165

Pimlico, 109, 110

Pinnock, Mr., 100

Pitt, Right Hon. William, 54

Plassey, E.I.C.S., 118, 121-2, 130
et sqq,, 140 et sqq., 178 et sqq.,
184 ft tqq. t 194 ft sqq. t 223, 229
ft sqg.

Plumer, Hall. 1S5

Plumer, Sir Thomas, 1|5

Pocock, Sir George, 13*

Ponsonby, Mr., 4ft

Pope, Alexander, 7

Portsmouth, 11

Pott, Joseph, 285

Pott, Mr. and Mrs M 258 et ^.,279,

280
Pott, Robert, 204 et sqq., 220, 223,

227, 241, 258 et sqq., 271, 278

et sqq., 283, 285
Powell, Mr., 72
Prescott, Mr., 273
Preston, Mr., 324-5
Prince of Wales Island, 189 et sqq.
Pritty, Captain, 135 et sqq.
Pritzler, Mr., 87
Public Ledger, 290

Queen Anne Street, 90, 99, 110
Queensbury, Duchess of, 32
Queensbury, Duke of, 32

Radnor, Lord, 28

Ramus, Mr. George, 100, 283

Ramus, Henry, 283

Ranelagh, 72, 91, 273, 326 et sqq.

Raper, Mr., 202

Red House Club, 72 et sqq., 95, 261

Regatta at Hampton, 96 et sqq.

"Retaliation," Goldsmith's, 308-9

ReveU, Mr., 202, 204 et sqg., 210-11

Re veil, Joe, 210 et sqq.

Reynolds, Sir Joshua, 27, 308-9

Richards, Mr. Robert, 338

Richardson, Captain, 141, 165 et

sqq.

Richmond, 7, 34, 95, 128, 201
Richmond, Duke of, 314
Rider, Mr. Jacob, 133 et sqq., 139,

140, 144 et sqq., 150, 154, 158 et

sqq., 171, 178-9, 183, 283
Rider, John, 135-6, 139, 140
Ridge, Mr., 338
Bidotto, The, 2
Roberts, Dicky, 29S
Robinson, Sir "Thomas, 327-8
Rochester, 88

Rockingham, Marquis of, 54, 302
Rodney, Sir George, 262
Rogers, Mr., 202
Rogers, Samuel, 133, 142, J46-7,

164. 170, 184, 191-2, 213, 225
Rose, E.I.C.S., 190
Rrf>ss, Mr. Andrew, 170
Boss, Cadet, 133-4

346

MEMOIRS OF WIL1IAM HICKEY

Hound House, 276

Rons, Mr., 2,02, 206

Koyal Charlotte, E.I.C.S., 141

Eudd, Mrs., 336

Rumbold, Mr., G-overnor of Madras,

145

Russell, Miss, 318-19
Ryan, Mr., 3, 4, 9, 10

St. Albans Street, 1, 23, 41, 50, 66,

net sqq., 105, 110, 113, 116, 131,

242, 253, 271, 285, 323, 325, 330,

333, 338

St. Helena, 234 et sqq., 253
St. James's Coffee House, 308
St. James's Park, 8, 14, 280
St. James's Square, 13
St. Martin's Lane, 324 -
Salter, Colonel, 32
Samans, 200-1
Saville Road, 303-4
Sea wen, Captain, 292 et sqq., 303 et

sqq.

Scott, Mr., 7
Scrafton, Mr., 253
Shakespear Club, 84, 101, 106, 125,

311

Sheffield, Sir Charles, 8, 130
Skottowe, Mr., 235-6, 239 et sqq.
Slaughters Club, 72-3, 81, 84, 109,

324

Smallwood, Captain, 218
Smith, Cadet, 134, 156
Smith, Captain, 141, 153, 155, 161,

242 et sqq., 285
Smith, Mr. (actor), 319
Smith, Mr., 75 et sqq., 86 et sqq., 282
Smith, General Richard, 167, 178-9,

234, 236 et sqq.
Smith, Mr. Loraine, 271
Smith's Tea Gardens, 298
" Soup Shop, The," 89
Speaker, E.I.C.S., 141
Speke, E.LC.S., 141
Spring Gardens, 271
Stables, Mr., 145
Stacey, Mr., 107
Stanhope, Lord, 8, 29
Stokes, Captain, 141
Streatham, 41, 47 et sqq.
Strode, General, 321 et t>qq.
Sturt, Major, 72, 87-8
Suckling, Captain, 204
Suffolk, Earl of, 314
Suffolk Street, 41, 118
Sullivan, Mr. Laurence, 117, 130,

253, 284-5

Sullivan, Mr. Richard, 213-14
Surman, Captain Paul, 337-8
Swift, Dr. Jonathan, 308
Swords, 24

Symonds, Mr., of Batteraea (se&
Smith)

Talbot, 236

Taylor, Captain, 101, 103

Taylor, Mr. Waiter, 119

Teliigory, Mr., 68

Templer, Mr., 298

Tetherington, Mr., 24, 62 et sqq.,

84-5, 90, 109, 125-6, 137
Thames, E.I.C.S., 181
Thomas, Miss, 31
Thomas, Mr., 31-2, 92
Thomons, Murrough O'Brien, Mar-

quis of, 33

Thurlow, Lord, 56 et sqq.
Todd, Captain, 141
Tonikins, Mr., 102, 126
Torriano, Mr., 202
Tothill Fields, 14
Triton, E.I.C.S., 141, 172, 188, 190,

212

Troubridge, Admiral Sir Thomas, 189
Turnham Green, 102
Turtle Turning, 242 et sqq.
Twickenham, 7, 26 et sqq., 44-5, 62,

81, 98 et sqq., 106, 109, 111, 113-

14, 116, 128
Tyburn, 108

Upper Brook Street, 37 et sqq.
Upper Ossory, Earl of, 302

Vansittart, Mr., 253

Vauxhall Gardens, 110, 287 et sqq,,

298, 334

Verelst, Governor, 178
Verney, Earl, 53, 285
Vincent, Miss, 101-2, 125

Waddell, Captain, 118, 130, 132 et
sqq., 142-3, 146 etsqq., 161 ft sqq.,
180 et sqq., 194, 198, 229, 230,
233 et sqq., 240 ct sqq., 247 ft sqq.

Wales, George, Prince of, 109

Walker, Daisy, 296

Wall, 24

Walpole and Co., Bankers, 250

Walton, 96

Watts, Edmund. 21-2, 168

Webley, Mr., 338

Wedderburn, Alexander, lat E&rl
of Rosslyn, 56

INDEX

Weir, Daniel, 90

Welch, Captain, 141, 213

Welch, Mr., 338

Westminster Abbey,22, SQetaqq., 251

Westminster School, 13 et sqq., 99,

106, 283
Wetherby's, 82 et sqq., 89, 104, 126,

273

Weybridge, 95, 97
Whampoa, 197-8, 201, 212, 215, 223,

231

White, Mrs., 60 et sqq.
Whitehall, 22, 65
Whitehead, Mr., 72
Whittle, Mr., 182
Williams, Captain, 141, 165
Williams, The brothers, 101

106, 126

Wilkes, John, 92-3, 119, 317

Wilkinson, Bet, 85

Wiiles, Mr., Solicitor-General, 56

Willis, Mr., 268
| Willis, Mr. (bailiff), 310-11
j Windham, Right Hon. William,
i 262, 271

I Windhaxn, Hon. Mrs. William, 262,
I 266, 271

Windmill Street, 65

Wood, Mr., 202, 204, 206, 228,
231

Wynne, Sir Watkins Williams, 14,
100

ates, Mr. Justice, 169, 331-2

Hon. Charles, Attorney-
, 56, 70